. LLOYD,

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A. LLOYD, 115 NASSAU STEEET.
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OUTLINES

PROPHETIC REVELATION,

BEING A CONCISE EXPLANATION OF THE

REVELATION OF ST. JOHN,

IN AVmCH THE DESIGN OF EACH CHAPTEE IS EXPLAINED ; THE

SENSE OF THE EMBLEMS, SYMBOLS, FIGUEES, METAPHOES,

AND SIMILES IS GIVEN ; AND THE WHOLE

ILLUSTEATED BY HISTOEY.

REV. R. B. "JAMES.

NEW-YORK :

PUBLISHED BY REDFIELD, CLINTON HALL.

1852.

JOHN P. TEOW, PRINTEK,
49 Ann-street.

PREFACE.

The Book of the Ke relation has always been receiv-
ed by the Christian churches as of divine authority.^
A few writers have endeavored to invalidate and be-
cloud its title,'* but without success. It is now uni-
versally admitted by Christians to be canonical and a
fruit of inspiration.^ Yery learned and judicious men
have attempted to explain the great things unveiled
here,* and to mark the prophetic events as they have
been unfolded in the annals of mankind since this
book was written. But, it must be admitted, that if
their explanations have not failed to satisfy themselves

'It was cited by Justin Martyr, Irenseus, and Polycarp, in the
second century. See Lardner, vol. 1 ; Gill's Comment. ; Wood-
house's Ob., &c.

'' The Alogi, &c, Epiphan.

• Supplement. Comp. Com.

* See the various hypotheses assumed and defended by the learned,
as related by Dr. Jenks. Suppl., part ii,, ch. 9.

IV PREFACE.

(wbich has often been the case)^ ^ they have, in many
respects, come far short of convincing their readers.

The mysteries of the Eevelation seem to me to
arise from misapprehensions of its symbols and images,
and their applications in history : not from the struc-
ture of the book or the order of time in which events
are presented.

I conceive that the Eevelation contains allusions
and emblems which mark the historical and prophetic
outlines of all the great occurrences of the world,
which have materially affected the religion of Jehovah,
or His worshippers, and those which are to affect
them, from the call of Abraham,^ and possibly from
the creation of the world, ^ to the consummation of all
things/ It is true that, in the Epistles directed to the
Seven Churches of Asia,^ there are shown " things
which must shortly come to pass;"^ but it appears to
me that this does not preclude a revelation of things
which had been seen,'' which were then in being, and
which should be thereafter. The expressions of ver. 1,
seem to be confined, and intended rather as a preface,
to the seven Epistles to the Churches of Asia, while
the direction in ch. 1, verses 19, 20, was designed as a
key to the following chapters.

^See Comments and Observations of Gill, Henry, Newton, Scott,
and others. ''^Ch. vi., v. 2 ; Gen. 12. ^ Ch, i., v. 19 ; ch. iv. ; ch.
viii. "Ch. XX. ' Ch. ii. ; ch. iii. 'Ch. |., v, 1, &c. 'Ch.
i , V. 19.

PREFACE. V

A prophecy relates to only that which is future ; but
a revelation may unveil that which is past or present,
as well as that which is to come.

I think that the time of the duration or accom-
plishment of each of the things referred to in the Ee-
velation, which is clearly the subject of prophecy, is
noted either by a special date, or by a reference to the
date of some other transaction. This will be further
explained under the several subjects as they are dis-
cussed in the course of this book. There are no dates
connected with the representations of those events
which had transpired before the Christian era, because
they were known. If my illustrations of those em-
blems and metaphors should prove to be correct, they
will give a clue to the time when the Eevelation was
written, decide the time of the fulfilment of the pro-
phetic parts, which have already received their accom-
plishment, and the age of the church in which we live.
This will, to some extent, throw light upon the unful-
filled parts to the ''time of the end," shadowing forth
those things which are to be expected to take place
before the mystery of God shall be finished, when the
kingdom, and the dominion, and the greatness of the
kingdom under the whole heaven (Dan. 7 : 27) shall
be given to the saints of the Most High.

Kev. V. lOj xi. 12-15 ; xx, 4.

Introduction

In tliis book an attempt is made to explain the
Eevelation of St. John upon these principles —

I. — Consider the language^ whether it is emblenaa-
tical or literal, whether it is an allegory or similitude.

II. — If Jehovah has spoken to men by an allegory
or emblem, he is to be understood only by an ex-
planation of the language with reference to the sense
in which it was spoken.

III. — When the literal meaning of the words is
ascertained and defined, they are supposed to be al-
ways used in that sense, unless the context shall evi-
dently imply a variation.

TV. — Every emblem employed in the book of Ee-
velation is always intended to convey the same mean-
ing, unless it be varied or modified by an attendant
emblem, or a literal explanation.

Vlll INTBODUCTION.

V. — The sense of metaphors and emblems is to be
ascertained and determined, first — by reference to
their use in other parts of the Scriptures ; second — by
their use among contemporaneous Hebrew and Jewish
writers ; third — by consulting the authors of other
nations, who wrote nearly in the same age ; fourth —
should these sources in their order fail, then, by refer-
ence to their traditionary or common usage.

yi. — As every age of the world has been suifi-
ciently marked in its characteristics to identify itself,
and distinguish it from all others, there certainly
seems to be no necessity of confounding the emblems
which are peculiar to the events of a particular age with
those of any other times ; therefore, when any group
of emblems or figures in the Kevelation has been ex-
plained, the author of this work has looked with confi-
dence to ascertain their agreeing events in history, with-
out a fear of mistaking them for any others ; and where
their counterparts have not been found in the past, he
has not hesitated to assign them a future date.

YII. — Although the author has not failed of con-
sulting many other writers, of eminence and respecta-
bility upon this subject, he has been constrained to
differ from them all, to mark out a course of explana-
tion entirely original, guided only by the interpretation
of the emblems and figures themselves ; and he has
the fullest confidence that he has given, in the follow-

INTRODUCTION. IX

ing pages, the explicit and true intention of the Di-
vine Author, who made this Kevelation to the Churches
of Asia.

To the considerate and candid judgment of an
enlightened Christian public the result of his studies
and reflections is submitted.

ERRATA.

Page 131, fifteenth line from the top, "for there were indeed othet- officers,^'' &c.,

read, "there were indeed other gifts.''''

Page 175, seventh hne from top, for " dollars'''' read " talents.''^

Page 213, thirteenth line from top, for " Jordan," read " garden.''''

Page 247, note 2, fifth line, for '■'• number " read ^^ merriber.''''

Page 260, fourteenth line from top, for " those men who had the seal of God,*'

read " who had not the seal," &c.

Page 282, seventh lino from top, for '■'■Papal " read " Pagan."

OUTLINES

OF

PROPHETIC REVELATION.

THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE.

CHAPTER L

1. The Preface. — 4. John's Salutation to the Churches. —
7. The Coming of Christ. — 14. His Majesty. — 19, 20. Ex-
planation OR Key to the Book.

Verse 1. — The Revelation' of Jesus Christ, which God gave
unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly
come to pass ; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his
servant John.

This and the next two verses are a preface to the
following book. They appear to have been prefixed
after the rest of the Revelation was written. This is
a revelation of Jesus Christy not of John, showing tilings
lohich must shortly come to pass. This part has reference
rather to the things directed to the local administra-
tion of the seven churches than to the whole of the
succeeding Revelation (see v. 19). What was directed

1 John 3 : 32 ; 8 : 26 ; 12 : 49 ; ch. 22 : 6-16 ; Gal. 3:19; Mat. 4 : 21 ;
Actsl: 12: ch. 5: 6.

2 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

to tliem did not prevent him from speaking of the past
or revealing the distant future. The things written in
the seven epistles to the churches of Asia would im-
mediately commence their fulfilment, but they would
flow on through a long series of years, mingling with
the affairs of nations, and partaking of the political
and civil as well as the ecclesiastical history of the
world, until it would eventually appear that every
thing which had been threatened or promised, had
come to pass (see ch. 2, ch. 8). And even where the
menace was conditional, it will appear in the end (so
far as we have historical data to compare with the pro-
phecy), that in succeeding generations those condi-
tions, although in themselves clearly contingent, and
depending upon the combined and separate actions of
voluntary and intelligent agencies, were distinctly fore-
seen, and the threat or promise either accompanied, or
succeeded, and was founded upon, the actual appear-
ance and existence of those conditions. But, in an-
other sense, those prophecies would shortly come to
pass ; for, although the things prophesied of would
not, when once fulfilled, be re-accomplished, yet they
are so combined and intermingled, that the events pre-
dicted are made to depend upon the general and uni-
versal determination of mankind in every age of the
world (v. 19), and consequently upon the determina-
tion of each individual. As each individual act goes
to make up the sum of human affairs, so, from the
time the prediction is uttered to the time of its fulfil-
ment, the actions of every human being are taken into
account (v. 8 ; note, ch. 2 : 7), and to him, the part he
is to act, and its bearing on the great whole, is at hand,
and must shortly come to pass, until the prophecy is
fulfilled ; while the effect on himself, in the course of
its realization, is always present, yet its full effects may
never be entirely realized — in other words, its conse-
quences to him may be eternal, and the effects of his
conduct may be felt by others long after he has passed

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 3

tlie time of his probation and gone to Lis eternal re-
ward.

He sent and signified it unto his servant John. God
gave tliis Ee velation to Jesus Christ ; and he, Jesus,
sent his angel [perhaps one of the seven spirits before
the throne (ch. 6:6; 8 : 2)], who made it known to
John, and John made it known to the churches. It
does not appear that John saw any real thing besides
the angel, whom he twice [perhaps but once] attempt-
ed to worship (ch. 19 : 10 ; 22 : 8). The rest was a vi-
sion— a revelation — an unveiled picture, or exhibition
of things past as well as future. John did not see the
realities themselves, but the pattern or image of them.
The visions were representations made by the angel,
at the command of Jesus, who sent him. John is not
the servant of the angel, but both are the servants of
Jesus.

Shortly. Suddenly, soon, speedily. Gr. iv rdxei^
Lat. Celeritate^ that is, rapidly, but gradually ; not all at
once (ch. 22 : 6-16), but continuously.

Note. — Angel is a name not of nature, but of office,
and signifies a messenger. Every thing that notifies a
message from God, or executes his will, is called an
angel. Thus a dream (Mat. 1 : 20) ; the pillar of fire-
that went before the Israelites (Ex. 14 : 19) ; the winds,
flames of fire, secular princes, ecclesiastical officers, &c.,
when used as God's servants to reveal his mind to men,
or to punish or protect them, are called his angels.
But, in this place, an intelligent being from the invisi-
ble world seems to be meant ; for the whole verse ap-
pears to be explanatory and literal.

The prevailing spirit of any particular era may be
called the Angel of the times, whether that spirit is
embodied in a single individual, as controlling, govern-
ing and guiding the rest, or whether it is expressed by
a collective assembly, or by the movements of a
whole nation, or of all the nations of the world to-
gether. So the officers of a church are its messengers,

4 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

or angels ; so is tlie general of an army^ or the govern-
or of a state ; so is that which is the cause of an
event : as the cause of death, or the motion of Avaters,
or winds, is the angel of death, the angel of the waters,
&c. See Life of H. Martyn.

Verse 2. — Who bare record^ of the word of God, and of the
testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Here is a three-fold division. 1st. John bare re-
cord, or gave his testimony, to the truth of the ancient
Scriptures, which are the Word of God. Here he re-
cords and publishes those representations made to him
by the angel of Jesus Christ, which are an evidence of
the truth of the ancient Scriptures. 2d. He bore re-
cord and testified of Jesus Christ in those things sent
to the seven churches. Jesus is a witness (v. 5), and
John records his testimony. 8d. John also bore re-
cord of all those things which he saw or heard in these
representations made by the angel, noted in the course
of this book, except the voices of the thunders de-
scribed in ch. 10 : 3.

Verse 3. — Blessed^ is he that readeth, and they that hear the
words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written
therein : for the time is at hand.

Blessed is lie that readeth. Anciently, when books
were scarce, one would read to many hearers, as Ezra
did, Neh. 8 : 4-8. The Eevelation has been to many an
obscure book. They have been perplexed when read-
ing, and have despaired of understanding it ; and had
not these encouraging words supported the authority
and maintained the usefulness of searching and reading
its rich and pregnant pages, it might have been laid aside
as an unprofitable and useless task. We are still sus-

1 1 Cor. 1 : 6 ; 1 John 1:1,9 • ch. 6:9; 12 : 11 ; 19 : 10.

2 Neh. 8 ; 4 ; Luke 11 : 28 ; Eom. 13 : 11 ; James 5 : 8 ; 1 Pet. 4:7;
ch. 2 : 5, 25 ; 3 : 11 ; 22 : 7-10.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 5

laincd b}" this invitation and promise, and are encour-
aged to ascertain what or what manner of times the
Spirit doth indicate (1 Pet. 1 : 11), when he testifies be-
fore of the things which shall befall the saints until
the coming of Christ, and the glory which shall follow
(ch. 11 : 15 ; ch. 21).

This i)roi:)liecy. Only a part of the book of Eeve-
lation is prophetical. That Avhich refers to past events
(ch. 6), is useful to be understood; but none, except
that of prophecy, can be kept. And they are blessed
who "keep" or do only those things in it which
God approves.

For the time is at hand. Every one born into the
world enters at that moment upon the part he is to act,
and his conduct either hastens or retards the part as-
signed to and performed by the rest of the world.

Note. — If, in the sight of God, therefore, the ac-
tions of each person are taken into account (v. 1), the
birth of a child must always be an event of import-
ance. We know it is of the utmost consequence, in
deciding the fate of families, in controlling the distri-
bution of property, and the transmission of honors,
or in overwhelming them with poverty and shame :
with shame, as being legitimate or illegitimate, wise or
foolish ; and it may prove a bar to anticipated unions,
or be a cause or occasion of them. Much also de-
pends upon the life or death of a single individual ; and
upon the time and circumstances of Hs death, whe-
ther by nature or violence, in peace or war. Nor can
any one ever see the precise effects of his own_ actions.
His influence upon the world m-^J, soon after his death,
become extinct, or it may so vary, modify, or change
the relations of particular things, or the results of par-
ticular determinations, as to affect the interests of
contemporary or successive families, or even nations.
As none can know the consequences of his actions,
either to himself or others, happy is he who does that,
and that only, which is right, and which has the ap-

6 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

probation of reason, of conscience, and of God. (See
note cli. 2 : 7.)

Here ends the preface, embracing the first three
verses. The dedication or introduction is contained in
the next three verses.

Verse 4. — John to the seven churches* which are in Asia:
Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is,^ and which was,
and which is to come ; and from the seven Spirits which are before
his throne.

John, Usnally supposed to be one of the twelve,
from the similarity of style which prevails both in this
and in the acknowledged writings of that apostle. It was
generally received as his inspired production in the
primitive churches ; but this fact is not conclusive that
he was the author, and strongly indicates how scanty
are the historical materials, which have reached us, of
the progress and labors of the early disciples of Jesus.

To the seven churches. The book of Eevelation is
thus dedicated to the churches in that district of Lesser
Asia, then a Eoman province, of which Ephesus was
the capital.

From him which is, and which was, and ivhich is to
come — called in other parts of ScrijDture, God the
Father.

Seven Spirits. In Zechariah, 4 : 10, 'seven eyes of
Jehovah are mentioned as running to and fro through
the earth. Cl^rist hath the seven spirits of God
(ch. 3 : 1). The ^even lamps which burn before the
throne are the seven spirits of God (ch. 4 : 5). The
seven horns and the seven eyes of the Lamb, are the
seven spirits of God (ch. 5 : 6. — See cdso note to ch. 8 :
2, where these seven spirits are described as angels.)

Grace and peace are desired from these seven an-

1 Ex. 3 : 14 ; Zech. 3:9; 4:10; cli. 1 : 8, 11 ; 3:1; 4 : 5, 8 ; 5:6;
11 : 17 ; 16 : 5.

^ Note which is, &c., rod 6 t)v, ktX. i. e., who is, who was, and who
Cometh.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 7

gels in connection with God and Jesus Christ (v. 5),
who is the head of the churches. It would seem that
these angels receive from God a kind of discretionary
power over the earth (see v. 20) ; (Dan. 10 : 13-21),
which, it was hoped, would be favorably exercised to-
wards the churches. God and Christ are the source of
favor and peace.

Verse 5. — And from Jesus Christ, who is tlie fjiithfal witness'
and the first-begotten* of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of
the earth, unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins
in his own blood ;

Verse 6. — And hath made us kings'^ and priests unto God and
his Father ^ ; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen.

Jesiis Christ the faithful witness. A witness to the
truth of the Scriptures and their fulfilment, and of all
things which God has spoken by him (Heb. 1:2); a
witness against the world (John 7:7); and he is es-
pecially a witness to this Kevelation, and has fully
reported to John, by his messenger, all that God gave
unto him (v. 1 ; John 12 : 50).

First-begotten of the dead. They who arise from the
dead are said to be the "children of the resurrection"
(Luke 20 : 36). Jesus was not the first, in point of
time, whose body was raised from the dead. Samuel
was raised at Endor (1 Sam. 28) ; [but does this seem
to be his body from the grave ? was he buried at En-
dor? (1 Sam. 25 : 1.) He complained of being dis-
quieted, but soon returned to his rest.] Elijah raised
the son of the Sidonian Avoman (1 Kings 17). A man
was raised up by coming in contact with the bones of

1 Ps. 89 : 38 ; Isai. 55 : 4 ; Mat. 28 : 18 ; John 8 : 14 ; 13 : 34 ; 15 : 9 ;
Acts 20 : 28 ; 1 Cor. 15 : 20 ; Gal. 2 : 20 ; Eph. 1 : 20; Col. 1:18; Heb.
9 : 12, 14 ; 1 Pet. 1:19; 1 John 1:7, 9 ; ch. 3 : 14 ; 5:9; 17 : 14 ; 19 : 16.

=1 " First-born."

2 Ex. 19 : 6 ; Eom. 12 : 1 ; 1 Tmi. 6:16; Heb. 9 : 14 ; 1 Pet. 1:19;
2:5,9; 4:11; 5:11; 2 Pet. 3 : 18 ; 1 John 1 : 7 ; ch. 4: 4; 5:10;
20: 6.

ii Unto his God and Father. .

8 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVeLATIOK.

Elisha (2 Kings 13 : 21). Jesus himself raised Laza-
rus and others (John 11 : 44; Luke 7: 15, &c.), Moses
and Elijah appeared to Jesus at the transfiguration
(Mat. 17 : 2, &c.), not as raised from the dead, for
Elijah had never died (2 Kings 2 : 11), but as visitors
from the other world. But Jesus, in the sense of pre-
rogative, or authority, was the first-born from the
dead; and as the first-born, under the Mosaic law
(Deut. 21 : 17; Gen. 24: 36; 27: 29), and the ancient
customs, inherited his father's estate, so Jesus obtains
and inherits the highest honors of any who are raised
from the dead. He is the first or the most eminent of
all who should rise (Col. 1 : 18), not because he was
the first that did rise, but because he was the first that
arose who did not die again. He was the first-born of
every creature, and before all things (Eph. 1). It was
given him also to have life in himself, so that it was
not possible for him to remain in a state of death.

The Prince of the kings of the earth. Jesus is now
styled "Prince;" he is hereafter to be called "King"
(Acts 6:31; Eev. 19 : 16).

Note. — In this verse three titles are ascribed to
Jesus. 1st. Faithful Witness. 2d. First-begotten of
the dead. 3d. Prince of earthly kings.

Jesus is King in heaven — angels, principalities, and
powers, being subject to him. In the earth, the gov-
ernment is devolved on him, and he rules over all.
By him kings reign (Prov. 8 : 15), by him their power
is limited and restrained, by him their counsels are
overruled, and to him all men are accountable.

Kings. This word is emblematical of any earthly
authority, whether of republics or monarchies, whe-
ther delegated or original (ch. 17).

Unto him that loved us. The saints loved Christ
because he first loved them. He has taken the gov-
ernment of this world with the attributes and autho-
rity of the Father. Dominion, praise, and thanksgiv-
ing, are to be rendered to him as to God (Heb. 1 : 6).

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 9

For it is the will of tlie Father that all men should
honor the Son (John 5 : 23).

And luashed us from our sins in his oivji blood.
Through the favor and authority of Jesus Christ, the
sins of penitent men are remitted. By his death he
made salvation consistent with the just and immuta-
ble laws of God, and opened a door for the exercise of
mercy towards those who would repent of their sins
and believe on him. By the grace of God, Jesus
Christ tasted death for every man (Heb. 2 : 9 ; 2 Cor.
5 ; Eom. 5:6); he was raised for the justification
of his people ; and they to whom he grants repent-
ance and faith are here figuratively said to be washed
{^ovaavTi) by him in his own blood. His blood was
the price of redemption. By this offering he has per-
fected for ever them that are sanctified. It is through
the blood of Christ, shed upon the cross, for the
remission of sins, that gTace and peace are bestowed
upon the churches. From this fountain flow favors
upon an unworthy world. Who can count the un-
searchable riches of the blood of Christ ! From him
the saints acknowledge all power, authority, blessing,
and salvation.

Hath made us kings and priests (ch. 5 : 10).
He hath dominion over the whole world, and is the
head in all things to the church, which receives his
law as the rule of worship. The principles of that
law are the doctrines of the church ; its truths, the
creed, and its commands the standard of duty. With-
out directions from him, the church would regard it as
unsafe and improper to act. In Christ were hid aU
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He, therefore,
does not need any one to legislate for his kingdom.
This would be to usurp authority (ch. 13). To enact
ceremonies, or invent religious rites or modes of wor-
ship, and to teach men to obey or observe them with-
out the authority of his Word, is to arraign his wisdom
and detract from his honor (Mat. 5 : 19).
1*

10 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Note. — The four beasts (that is, the seraphim of
ch. 5 : 10), and the four-and-twenty elders, are made by
him kings and priests nnto God, and ascribe to him
honor and praise, as John has done in this place.

To him be glory for ever. Jesus is the source and
repository of honor and glory, and the saints who have
been washed from sin in his blood, submit to him, and
desire that he shall rule for ever. They seek to enlarge
his dominions on earth, and labor to extend his gov-
ernment over the hearts of men.

Note. — Soon after the death of the apostles, and
by the middle of the second century, the clergy began
to assume and exercise authority not delegated to them
in the Scriptures. Towards the close of this century,
the churches of Greece and Asia adopted the institu-
tion of provincial synods. These were representa-
tive bodies, whose decrees, at first advisory, became
gradually more and more imperious, until A. D. 350,
when they received the imperial sanction, and were
submitted to as divine. — Gibbon^ ch. 15.

Verse 7. — Behold, he cometh with clouds;* and every eye shall
see him, and they aho which pierced* him : und all the king-
doms ^ of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so. Amen.

Behold he cometh. This declaration is enlarged
upon in ch. 19 : 11.

With clouds. Clouds attended the Exodus of Israel
from Egypt (Ex. 18 : 21), the giving of the law from
Sinai (Ex. 24 : 15), and the dedication of the temple
by Solomon (2 Chr. 6) ; clouds overshadowed and en-
veloped the company at the transfiguration (Mat. 17 :
5), and received Jesus at the ascension. Acts 1:9.

Clouds are also the emblems of a multitude, of

1 Jer, 4 : 18, 14 ; Dan. 7 : 13 ; Zech. 12 : 10 ; Mat. 24 : 30 ; 25 : 21 ;
26 : 64 ; John 19 : 37 ; Acts 1 : 11 ; 1 Thes. 1:10; 2 Thes. 1 : 10 ; Jude 14 :
ch. 6:16; 11 : 18 ; 22 : 10.

^ Who pierced him. h Tribes or kindreds.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 11

glory, and mystery, (Heb. 12 : 1 ; Dan. 7 : 13 ; Mat.
24 : 30 ; 2 Chr. 6:1; cli. 10 : 1).

Every eye shall see him and they which pierced him.
There was but one, a Gentile, who pierced his side
(John 19 : 31), but a nation assented to it. This seems
to include all the world, but under two divisions. Else
why, after the sweeping assertion " every eye shall see
him," than which no language could be more inclusive
and general, it is added by way of limitation, " and
they also which pierced him ?" The first must refer to
the Jewish, the latter to the Grentile nations. We
shall have other occasions to notice this mode of limit-
ing a general expression, and of comprehending a
division in unity (compare v. 11 with ch. 10 : -1) ;
ch. 2:10.

Uvea so, Amen. The word translated "even so" is
i/<xt, and may be rendered "yes." The word d/xriv,
amen, is of Hebrew origin, and is not translated. It
appears to be an echo or response to the first. By the
two, the Gentile and Jewish churches may be repre-
sented as praying for his coming, or responding to the
announcement.

JSToTE. — " What is here spoken respects both Jews
and Gentiles." — Wesley, in Bengelius.

Verse 8. — I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end-
ing, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come,
the Almighty.^

Alpha and Omega. These words are the first and
the last of the Greek alphabet, answering to the " a"
and "o" long in English. They are repeated four
times in the Revelation (see v. 11 ; ch. 21 : 6 ; 22 : 13).
In this place the language seems applicable only to the
Father Almighty, but in ch. 22 : 13 it is apparently
applied to Christ. It is, in many places, extremely

j

; 1 Isa. 41 : 4 ; 44 : 6 ; 4S : 12 ; ch. 1:4; 11 : 17 ; ch. 2 : 8'; 4:8; 16:5
19:6; 21 : 6 ; 22 : 13.

12 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

difficult to decide whether Christ or the Father is
meant, as the same terms are often interchangeably
and indiscriminately ajoplied to both (see v. 11).

Which is, dtc, the Almighty. — This description is
varied from that in v. 4, by the addition of the word
" Almighty."

Verse 9. — I, John, who also am your brother, and companion
in tribuhition, and in the' Idng-dom and patience of Jesus Christ,
was in the isle tliat is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for
the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Was in the isle that is called Patmos. Now called
Pathmos or Patmol. John does not intimate that he
was here involuntarily, nor is it known whether it was
by appointment, invitation, or choice. There is an
ancient doubtful tradition that the apostle John was
banished to Patmos, an island, about thirty-five miles
in circumference, in the .^gean sea. Little reliance can
be placed on this, as those who believe the tradition
are not agreed either about the authority that banished
him or the time of banishment; some maintaining
that it was as early as the persecutions of Nero, A. d.
67 ; others, that it was as late as the emperor Domitian,
A. D. 95 or 96. See further ch. 8:1.

The writer was there for the word of God and the
testimony of Jesus Christ, and it might, at that time,
have been his customary place of residence. He might
have been there by divine appointment, or on a visit,
and being there he bore record (v. 2) of all things that
he saw.

Your brother. John informs the churches that he is
their brother in the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and in
times of trial exposed to similar sorrows with others.
This might seem to intimate that it was then a time of
persecution ^ with the churches of Western Asia (see

1 Eom. 8 : 17 ; Phil. 1:7; 4 : 14 ; 2 Tim. 1:8; 2:12; ch. 2 : 2, 9, 19 ;
6: 9.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIO KEVELATION. 13

cli. 2 : 10-13), and that lie was liable to sujBfer with
them ; or, that in publicly announcing himself their
brother he was ready to do so.

Patience of Jesus Christ. The exercise of patience
is noble. A stubborn, unfeeling, or stupid mind cannot
be compared to one that is patient. To be calm in per-
plexity, peaceable under provocation, mild to the an-
gry, forbearing to the wanton, to bear an affront with-
out resentment, to instruct the insolent, to see the suc-
cess of an enemy without envy, to sustain an injury
without desiring revenge, and, amid the changes, dis-
appointments, and afEictions of life, to maintain an
even and cheerful disposition of heart, is the demand
of the gospel upon every Christian. They are happy
who thus endure. Those who shun the storms of life,
immured in privacy, or rusting in indolence, can never
learn patience. It is hardship that makes men hardy ;
and it is by principles, tested in practice, that men
excel. In patience, tender-heartedness is opposed to
obduracy, a warm and sympathizing feeling to the cold
indifference of philosophy, a mild and gentle activity
to the immobility of stoicism and the rashness of en-
thusiasm. The patient endure with constancy, suffer
with intrepidity, and persevere with steadiness. The
Christian, above all others, has need of patience.

Verse 10. — I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day^ and heard
behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.

Was in the Spirit. — He was brought into a state or
frame of mind and body suitable to receive prophetic
visions. This was not a mesmeric or clairvoyant sleep,
because no clairvoyant recollects his visions. It ap-
pears to have been like that of Moses, Isaiah, Daniel,
Peter and others. Peter calls it a trance (Acts 11 : 5).
Paul says of like things (2 Cor. 12 : 2) that he cannot
tell whether a man receives them in the body or out.

1 Acts 10 : 10 ; 20 : 7 ; 22 : 17 ; 1 Cor. 16:9: 2 Cor. 12:2; di. 4 : 2.

14 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATIOK.

His meaning seems to be that lie conld not tell whether
the impressions were conveyed to the mind through
the medium of the natural bodily senses, or by some
other means.

On the LoroCs day. The Christian Sabbath. John
has not dated the year of receiving this vision. The
conjecture of some, places the date as early as A. D. 67,
others as late as A. d. 95 (see v. 9). I am inclined to
an early date (ch. 8 : 1). The relation of the vision
occupies the remainder of this chapter, together with
the whole of chs. 2, 3. This first vision was in the isle
of Patmos, and on the Lord's day ; where or when the
other visions were, we are not told.

Voice as of a trumjoet. This voice which John heard
behind him, was loud, and as the blast of a trumpet.
But when he turned, the voice sounded like many
waters (v. 15). It appears that the blast of a trumpet
preceded the proclamation noted in the next verse
(11), and then died away upon the ear like an echo
of the forest, or the noise of waterfalls. The blast of
a trumpet proclaimed the law at Sinai (Ex. 19 : 19).
Trumpets of silver were used in the temple service.
Trumpets of horn were used at the siege of Jericho, and
the breaking out of the religious war of the Hebrews
against Canaan (Josh. 6 : 4, &c.). Trumpets have been
in requisition upon many occasions among all nations,
and now, as formerly, instrumental music is used in
solemn or joyful ceremonies, and in religion or war.
The symbolical use of trumpets must therefore be de-
signated by their attendant emblems. (See ch. 8 : 2, &c.)

Verse 11. — Saying, I am Alpha^ and Omega, the first and the
last ; and what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the
seven churches which are in Asia ; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyr-
na, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and
unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

1 Isa. 41 : 4 ; 44 : 6 ; 48 : 12 ; ch. 2 : 8 ; 21 : 6 ; 22 : 13 ; see also ch. 5:1;
Note ch. 10 : 2-8 ; ch. 20 : 12.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 15

Alpha. Alpha and Omega are here applied to Je-
sus Christ, as are the titles, first and last, in v. 17.
• Write in a hook. All was to be written in a book
and a copy sent to each church. In this way more
care was taken to preserve true and authentic copies of
the Eevelation, than any other part of the Sacred
Writings. Here we see that seven copies, I may say
originals, under the handwriting of John, were to be
given to the churches at once, and we may reasonably
suppose he retained a copy himself. The churches
were acquainted with the author, who was their "bro-
ther and companion." He presented it to them in an
authentic form, in his own handwriting, about which
there could be no dispute ; for many years any copies
taken from them could be compared with the originals,
and every error detected and every variation pointed
out. Thus fortified there was no chance of palming a
counterfeit upon the world. The only resource left to
errorists, was to deny or impugn the originals. This
has been done, ^ both covertly and openly ; but the ex-
act fulfilment of its predictions places its inspiration
beyond cavil or dispute.

Unto the seven churches. The names of the churches
are mentioned in the order of their distance from Pat-
mos, beginning with Ephesus. From Ephesus to Smyr-
na, 46 miles ; from Smyrna to Pergamos, 64 ; from Per-
gamos to T^atira, 48 ; from Thyatira to Sardis, 33 ;
from Sardis to Philadelphia, 27 ; from Philadelphia to
Laodicea, 42.

Verse 12. — And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.
And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks.'^ a

And I turned to see the voice. To see the voice, was
to see the person who was speaking. Thus John the

1 See Preface.

2 Ex. 25 : 27 ; Zech. 4:2; Gen. 3 : 8 ; Dan. 10 : 9.
^ Lampstands.

16 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Baptist calls liimself a "voice," saying, "I am the
voice of one crying in the wilderness" (John 1:
23, &c.). _ ^ •

And being turned I saiv. It seems that the vision
gradually unfolded itself, so that he first saw the can-
dlesticks or lampstands. He next observed their num-
ber and material.

Note. — Candlesticks^ Gr. \vxvia<^. The word ought
to be translated lampstands or lamp-sconces. "In all
places in the Old and New Testaments where the words
candle and candlestick occur, they should be invariably
lamp and lampstand ; for candles were not used in those
days in Judea for lighting their houses." — Wemys
Syn, Diet, But, why? "The lamp, or light, signifies
the master of the house, because he overlooks it ; and
the lampstand, his wife, whom he rules and presides
over." — Artem. h. 1 c. 76. But the intention of this
symbol is explained in v. 20, to mean the seven
churches.

Verse 13, — And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one
like unto the Son of Man, clothed' with a garment down to the
foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Verse 14. — His head and his hairs were white like wool, as
white as snow ; and'^ his eyes were as a flame of tire.

Verse 15. — And his feet like unto fine brass,^ as if they burn-
ed in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of* many waters.

Verse 16. — And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out
of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword :* and his countenance
was as the sun shineth in his strength.

Like unto the Son of Man. These representations
were made by an angel (v. 1), and the impressions
gradually put on the semblance of a reality.

1 Ex. 27 : 10 ; 28 : 42 ; 39 : 5 ; Ezek. 1:26; 9:2; Dan. 7:13; 10 : 5,
16; ch. 2: 1, 18; 14: 14; 15: 6.

2 Dan. 7 : 9 ; 10 : 6 ; ch. 2 : 18 ; 19 : 12.

3 Ezek, 1 : 7, 24 ; 40 : 3 ; 48 : 2 ; Dan, 10 : 6 ; ch. 2 : 18 ; 10 : 1 ; 14 : 2 ;
19: 6.

^ ^u)tA], voice of many waters,

4 Isa. 49 : 2 ; Eph. 6 : 17 ; Heb. 4:12; ch. 1 : 20 ; 2 : 1, 12 ; 3:1;
10: 1; 19: 15, 21.

OtTTLlNES OF PHOPHETlC REVELATION. 17

Clothed. There are eight particulars noticed ^vith
respect to this part of the vision. 1st. The garment
lilsie a robe falhng to the ground. 2d. Fastened about
the breast Avith a girdle or belt. 8d. His head and
hair were white with splendor, not with age or decay.
4th. His eyes were as a burning flame. 5th. His feet
like glistering, polished brass, burning in a fire, or
burnished by the rays of a setting sun. 6th. His
voice like the waves of the sea dashing upon the shores
of Patmos, or like the noise of a cataract ; either con-
fused and heavy, or combining the murmur of many
languages, like the concourse of assembled nations at
an Olympiad. 7th. In his right hand seven stars, or
the constellation Taurus. 8th. And out of his mouth
a sharp two-edged sword. Altogether, his flowing
white hair, his flaming eyes, glittering sword, golden
girdle, and burning feet, conveyed an impression like
the noon-day sun in midsummer ; or his face alone had
that appearance. So the face of Moses shone when
he came from Sinai (Ex. 34 : 30) ; so Christ at the
transfiguration (Mat. 17:1; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:8);
so Stephen (Acts 6 : 15) ; so the face of the angel
(ch. 10 : 1) ; and so shone the woman (ch. 12 : 1). In
the vision (Dan. 10 : 6) at Hiddekel, the face of the
man was like lightning.

Verse 17. — And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.
And he laid his right' hand upon me, saying unto me: Fear not, I
am the first and the last.

Verse 18. — I am he that liveth and was dead:'^ and behold I
am alive for evermore. Amen; and have the keys of hell* and of
death.

I fell at his feet as dead. The vision had opened
w^ithin a few steps of John ; or as it gradually unfold-

1 Isai. 41 : 4 ; 44 : 6 ; 48 : 12 ; Ezek. 1 : 23 ; Dan. 8:18; 10 : 10 ; v. 11 ;
ch. 2:8; 22 : 13.

2 Job 12 : 14 ; Ps. 68 : 21 ; Isa. 22 : 22 ; Kom. 6:9; Heb. 7:8; ch. 3 :
7; 20: 1, 12.

*■* oSou, of Hades, and of death.

18 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATlOK.

ed, it drew nearer, until, like Daniel and the former
prophets, he fell prostrate at its feet. The likeness^ of
the man laid his hand, in which he held the seven stars,
upon John, by which we are led to infer he received
strength, and was prepared to hear and remember the
addresses which followed.

Have the keys of hell and of death. No one can live or
die without his consent, permission, and control.

Verse 19. — Write the things which thou hast seen,' and the
things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

Verse 20. — The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest
in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.'^ The seven
stars are the angels of the seven churches ; and the seven candle-
sticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

The command is, 1st. Write the things which
thou hast seen. 2d. Write the things which are.
3d. Write the things which shall be hereafter. 4th.
Write the mystery of the seven stars which thou
sawest in my right hand; and 5th. Write the mystery
of the seven golden lampstands (see 12). Let us now
proceed to ascertain separately the extent and limits of
each of the five particulars in this command.

FlEST, Write the things which thou hast seen. — What
is embraced in this ? What is he commanded to write ?
What had John seen ? To command a person to write
the things he had seen admits of the following defini-
tions ; it is to direct him, either, 1st, to write a de-
scription of such things as he had himself been an
eyewitness of; or, 2d, to write an account not only of
such things as had come to his knowledge from per-
sonal observation, but such as he had ascertained upon
inquiry and the report and testimony of others (Gen.
42 : 1) ; or else, 3d, to write a history of the past, not
only of such things as he then knew as applicable to

^ Or the angel did so, while the voice was uttered by the likeness.

1 Dan. 2 : 29 ; chap. 4 : 1 ; v. 1, 11.

2 Mai. 2:7; v. 16 ; eh. 2: 1.

m

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 19

past time, but such tilings as he could he informed of
by inquiry, study, and research.

But the first definition cannot be entertained, be-
cause it would, in this case, operate to exclude that
division of time which admits of a present tense, and
so make all things either past or future. It would also
include the second division of the command, to " write
the things which are," and render that an unnecessary
repetition. Nor is the second definition, viz., to write
an account of such things as he then knew, less excep-
tionable. For it is not only liable to the same objec-
tions as the first definition, but it is too limited in its
relations to the past, and it also restricts the second
part of the command, which enjoins him to "write
the things which are." For, if we admit a present
tense, and that there are things existing which may be
called present, we must admit also that John might
have some knowledge of the things then present, as
well as of the past.

If, therefore, the first and second definitions are
inadmissible, the third, viz., to write a history of the
past, is unavoidable, unless we are ready to disregard
the ordinary meaning of language.

Compared with the comprehensive language of the
other parts of the Eevelation, or indeed with any
other portion of Scripture, this latter construction
seems preferable. But, if this could be disproved, by
which the second would also fall, then the first would
be undeniable : that he should Avrite that portion of
the history of the past to which he had himself been
an eyewitness. Nor can the direction, to "write the
things which thou hast seen," be confined to a history
of transactions which are wholly and purely of a re-
ligious nature, unless we deny that John had seen any
thing else. Because it would be absolutely necessary,
for an historian, who would prejDare himself to write
ecclesiastical history, to make himself acquainted with
the annals of the political, civil, and social progress of

20 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC BEVELATION.

^^^^^

the world, and the revolutions which have affected it ;
for these histories are frequently blended together,
and a distinct account of the one cannot be given
without including some portions of the others.

Secondly. On the common principles by which
we understand language, to command a person to
'^ write the things which are," if there is no restriction
by which it could be limited to a particular thing,
would be to enjoin him to write a history of the pre-
sent time. The history of one's own time is, in a
strict sense, to him, the connection between the past
and future, the connection between the things which
transpired before he existed, and the things which
shall take place after his death. It constitutes the
link between history and prophecy. A man goes to
books, or tradition, for a knowledge of such events
as took place before he was born ; he looks to pro-
phecy for a knowledge of such as shall come to pass af-
ter his decease. The knowledge of the present is
stored in his own mind. The connection of the
Church of God with the past and the present is pro-
perly the subject of revelation — that which is or has
been revealed. The " things which shall be hereafter"
are legitimately the subjects of prophecy. These are
clearly distinguished from the present and past, which
are denominated "the things which are," and the
" things which thou hast seen." For it seems to me
very absurd to think that the momentary representa-
tions, which were then just opening, or passing before
his eyes, and unfinished, or remaining stationary in the
full expanse of vision, should be called the things
which John had seen ; then, to call the same things " the
things which are ;" then, to make further representa-
tions to illustrate present things, as in the vision of the
beast from the sea (ch. 13), and the heads of empires
(ch. 17 : 10) ; and then, go on to set these momentary
emblems, which were at most not half explained, as
a counterpoise to all future time, and as a poise and

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 21

counterpart to the third member of the command to
" write the things which shall be hereafter.''

Such an explanation will appear very limited and
narrow when contrasted with the command in v. 11 :
" What thou seest write in a book." How did John
understand this ? His back was towards the speaker !
He had seen none of the emblems which are unfolded
in any part of the Revelation. Can this be explained
on any other principle than as having a future bearing,
and as intimating, in a general sense, that he should
write to each church, not only what was directed to
itself in particular, but all that was applicable to each
and every one of the others, and also including
what was to be revealed as applicable to other times ?
It is certain that John understood this direction in
V. 11, as here explained, for he acted in accordance
with this understanding. For that the whole Revela-
tion, when finished, was sent to each of the churches,
has never been denied or questioned (see ch. 2 : 17).
Why then restrict or limit the injunctions in v. 19 ?
Why explain them only as relating to things future ?
or why pretend that they refer only to "things which
must shortly come to pass ?" Has the Revelation all
been fulfilled ? No. Have the kingdoms of this world
become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ ? No.
Has the Babylon of ch. 18 " come to nought ?" so that
" the light of a candle shineth no more at all" in her?
No. Has that great city been thrown down with vio-
lence, so as to be found no more at all ? No. Has
Satan been bound a thousand years ? Have the beast,
the false prophet, and the devil, been cast into the
lake of fire and brimstone, so that they can deceive the
nations no more? No. Seventeen hundred years have
passed away since the Revelation was penned, and it is
yet unfulfilled. How long will good men continue to
pervert or misapply Scripture to support a theory un-
reasonable in itself and disproved by history ? How
long does a prophecy run which is shortly to come to
pass? (See v. 1.)

22 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Thirdly. Let us investigate tlie third item in the
command, viz., " write the things which shall be here-
after." What things shall be described? merely those
things which should shortly take place, or those things
both near and remote ? At what period of time would
the description begin? where shall the description end?
Certainly, this must relate to those things which were
to John then future. Were they all to be purely ec-
clesiastical ? Were there to be none after John's day
but those of a religious nature, and they shortly to
pass away ? It is evident that the commencement of
a future transaction must be future, or a part of it must
come under the second division of the verse, " the
things which are." But how shall a man come at the
knowledge of the things which shall be hereafter? A
history of the past does not point them out. The
" things which are" now existing do not foreshow them
so as to make them distinct to man. Whence then is
he to obtain his information ? How could John write
a description of the "things which shall be hereafter?"
It is certain he could write them in no other way but
under the direction of an omniscient eye. They must
be made known by vision, and he must begin and end
with the visions representing the transactions to be de-
scribed. But a vision of " things to be hereafter" must
relate exclusively to the future. Because, let other
things be as they may, it is certain that the commence-
ment of a future transaction must be future, or a part
of it is included in the era of the things which are.

In this third place, therefore, John is to prophesy
what shall come upon the church and the world in after
times. It follows then that the things which are past,
called the things which John had seen, and those things
which then existed, called "the things which are,"
were distinguished from the " things which shall be,"
which are the only subjects of prophecy. The past,
present, and future, were therefore embraced in the
command "to write the things which thou hast seen,

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 23

and the things which are, and the things which shall
be hereafter."

This text is, therefore, the key to the Kevelation,
and explains the Revelation to be what it purports to
be, a Revelation of Jesns Christ (v. 1), showing his
connection with the churches (ch. 1:5; ch. 2 ; ch. 8),
his control over hell and death (v. 18), and explaining
to his servants things which shall be hereafter.

Again, that this is the true and proper construction
to be placed upon this text, and that it was intended
to embrace a history of the past, present, and future,
is proved by the subsequent parts of the Revelation.

But, for present satisfaction,' let us contrast the
three divisions of this verse in another light. It is
evident that the injunction to write "the things which
shall be hereafter" relates only to those which are fu-
ture, or a part of it must relate to things past or pres-
ent. But, secondly, John is also as clearly and posi-
tively enjoined to write "the things which are," as to
write those which shall be hereafter. Now as time is
never stationary, the things that now exist must al-
w^ays, as respects themselves, have a past beginning
and a future ending; and, strictly speaking, the mo-
ment they are finished or ended, they are among those
that are passed, and may be reckoned as among the
" things which have been seen." But to write those
which are, in the common acceptation of language,
would not be to write a description of things which
were clearly future, and then wait for their occurrence
with an expectation that they will at some time there-
after exist and be present ; nor could a description of
things which are wholly passed be given as of those
which are present, although they might have been so
described in their time. To write an account, then, of
the things which are, is to speak of those whose origin
is passed, but whose existence is present, and whose
termination is [recent, or yet] future. Then it follows,
in the third place, that the direction, "write the things

24 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

wliicli tliou liast seen," in tlie first part of the text, is
intended to be a history of those which existed before
such as are called present came into being ; it was to
write of those which had transpired before " the things
which are" had an existence. We conclude, therefore,
that the direction in the text was intended to include
a prophecy of the future, a description of the present,
and a history of the past. But, if this is still denied,
then we may sa}^ that the future, the present, and
a PART OF the past, are without controversy intended
in the command. (See ch. 4:1.)

The mystery of the seven stars (v. 20). The seven
stars are the a^igels^ of*t]ie churches.

Before we proceed to ask what is meant by the an-
gels of the churches, for our better understanding of
the subject, it may be useful to inquire what is a church?
The word in the Greek original rendered "church" is
€KK\rjaia, in the Latin, ECCLESIA, and means an as-
sembly, whether lawful or unlawful (Acts 1 3 : 32-39).
As applied to the saints, it is understood to compre-
hend ; 1st. The whole body of God's chosen people in
every period of time (Col. 1 : 18). This is the invisi-
ble church. On earth, they are called the church mil-
itant ; in heaven, the church triumphant (Heb. 12 : 23;
Acts 20: 28; Eph. 1 : 22 ; Mat. 16 : 28). Some use the
word, signifying thereby the visible church, as denot-
ing all who profess belief in Christ, and acknowledge
him to be the Saviour of mankind (1 Tim. 3 : 15 ; Eph.
3:21; 4:11, 12).

But whatever diversity of opinion there may be, it
is evident that a Christian church is a body of baptized
believers, inhabiting a particular district of country,
united by voluntary and mutual agTcement in a com-
mon fellowship, and governed by the laws of Christ
(1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 2 : 41 ; Eev. 2 : 7).

When a body of Christians are thus, by mutual

'^ For Angrel, see Note v. 1.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 25

agreement, united, they are prepared to receive or ap-
point their officers, of whom we will speak more at
large when we have answered the two following in-
quiries ; 1st. For what object is a church organized ;
and 2d. What are its powers and duties ?

First. Churches are voluntary associations for re-
ligious purposes, in .which the members all stand on
an equal footing. Each member is responsible for his
conduct to every other member, and to the whole body.
The welfare of the whole body is affected by the con-
duct of individual members, and also by the action of
the whole (1 Cor. 12 : 26). The offices of the church
confer no honor. Good conduct and virtuous actions,
here as elsewhere, are the only sources of or passports to
confidence and respect. Each member of the church
is therefore held responsible to the church and to
Christ for his conduct.

Secondly. The powers and duties incident to a
church, considered in the light of Scripture, and as
deriving its authority from Christ, are : 1st. To main-
tain perpetual succession as a corporation ; and for this
purpose, the church has power to decide, under the
law of Christ, upon the qualifications of candidates for
membership ; and under the same law, the term of fel-
lowship and the cause of exclusion from the body.
2d. A church is to act in its corporate capacity as an
individual. The duty of corporations is to answer the
ends of their institution. The officers of^the church
are appointed to perform certain kbors which could
not be performed by the whole body collectively, but
no authority is vested in them which is not incident to
the whole. Nor is the equality of members varied by
this distribution of labors, only in the case of elders,
against whom an accusation cannot be presented or
sustained except by two accusers, both of whom must
be witnesses ; or at least the charge must be sustained
bv two witnesses (1 Tim. 5 : 19). But in all other re-
spects, the members and officers stand upon an equali-

26 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC EEVELATION.

ty so far as relates to membersliip. Talents, zeal,
aptitude, faitlifaliiess, property, &c., will always insure
preference and influence to their possessors, but they
confer no special privileges or extraordinary rights.
A member, therefore, of a church, on assuming official
duties, does not, in respect to membership, change his
relations to the church, although he may be clothed
with enlarged authorit}^, and assume new and greater
responsibilities. But the process of conviction for a
breach or neglect of duty, may be varied, and the
amount of evidence required for conviction may be
greater, in such cases.

Note. — In the trial of a private member for im-
morality, at Corinth, it seems that the whole church
sat in judgment (1 Cor. 5 : 13 ; 2 Col. 2:6); possibly,
however, only the officers of the church sat as judges,
(i Cor. 5:4).

In the case of trespass (1 Cor. 6 : 8), and private
claims, which were denied or disputed, the officers of
the church were to judge and decide (1 Cor. 6 : 3), or
they [the church] were to appoint arbitrators of wise
and judicious brethren (1 Cor. 6 : 5).

At Ephesus, the trial of presbyters Avas to be be-
fore an evangelist (1 Tim. 5 : 19 ; Kev. 2 : 2).

We have before said that "churches are voluntary
associations for religious purposes" to propagate (Mat.
28 : 19 ; Mark 16 : 15), support (1 Tim. 3 : 15 ; Eph.
6 : 14, &c.)^ maintain (Eph. 6:10; 2 Cor. 6 : 4-10 ;
Mark 8 : 34; Luke 12 : 4), and defend (Jude 3), the
principles, and doctrines, rules, duties, and ceremonies
of the Christian religion.

The churches, as corporations, may be dissolved :
1st. By an act of the founder. 2d. By the natural death
of all the members. 3d. By a forfeiture of their char-
ter, which forfeiture occurs when they cease to answer
the ends of their institution.

Now, it is evident, that in this light the officers of
a «hurch may be held responsible to the body of the

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 27

members of a cliiirch, and the members responsible to
one another, to the body, and to the officers. It is the
duty generally of the officers to carry out the resolu-
tions of the church, but this may be refused if such
resolutions are repugnant to the laws of Christ. For
the object of the church organization is not to legis-
late, but to carry into effect his laws, which there is no
liberty given to alter, modify, or suspend. (Mat. 5 :
19). 'For Christ is supreme (Eph. 1 : 22 ; 4: 11, &c.).
Kor have the officers in this respect any more authori-
ty than the collective body of the church, nor can
the}^ or the church delegate authority and poAver to
others of which the}^ themselves are not possessed.

Again, the church might be dissolved while the
officers of the corporation remained, or the body of a
church might exist without officers. In the former
case, whether the circumstances resulted from the
death, or removal of the members, or any other cause,
the officers could not act for or in the name of a
church, as there would be none, and their duties and
authority, as such, would of course cease. In the lat-
ter case, the church, from the want of officers, could not
act efficiently in carrying out the designs of Christ in
their institution. It would, therefore, become the duty
of the church to appoint officers, which could be done
bv selecting them from among the members ot their
own body, or those who became so. For it would still
be the duty of the church to sustain the truth of the
Gospel, by which God is glorified; and to promote
good works, by wdiich their members are perfected in
holiness.

But what officers existed in the church in its prim-
itive organization ? There appear to have been but
two offices ; that of the Bishop or Elder [overseer or
presbvter], and Deacon. In the office of deacon,
there were both males (1 Tim. 3 : 8, 10, 12; Acts 6:
2-5 ; Phil. 1 : 1) and females (Eom. 16 : 1 ; 1 Tim. 3:
11). The deacons were stewards of the church trea-

28 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

sure, and had charge of all the temporalities of the
body. They were elected by the church, and appohit-
ed or commissioned by the apostles or evangelists
(Acts 6:3; 5:6). The deacons Avere not specially
called of God, but selected by the churches.

The bishops or elders were sometimes self-moved to
desire the office (1 Tim. 3:1); at others, they were se-
lected by the church, and appointed by the evangelists
(Titus 1 : 5). They presided in the meetings of the
churches, were teachers (Acts 20 : 28-30), and rulers
in the body (1 Tim. 3:4-5; Acts 20 : 28). The elders
might be impeached before the evangelists on the
charge of two or more as witnesses (1 Tim. 5 : 19).
There was also a plurality of both deacons and of
elders or bishops in the same churches (Acts 20 : 17 ;
Titus 1 : 5-7 ; Phil. 1 : 1). Besides these, there were
in the early churches apostles, prophets, and evangel-
ists, but none of them seem to have been officers, pro-
perly so speaking, in the church organizations (Kom.
12 : 6-8 ; 1 Cor. 12 : 28 ; Eph. 4 : 11).

The apostles (see Eev. ch. 2 : 3) and prophets
possessed extraordinary and distinct gifts in the
churches. They were raised up by the Holy Spirit,
or appointed and commissioned by Jesus Christ in per-
son, for special purposes, and openly called to the work
assigned them (Luke 6 : 13 ; Acts 1:26; 21:9; Rom.
1 : 1 ; 1 Cor. 1 : 1). Their duties were of a temporary
not permanent character, nor were they accountable
to the churches ; for the}^ labored under the special
guidance of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2 : 4; 2 Cor. 12:
12 ; &c.).

The evangelists, as their name imports, were pub-
lic teachers and preachers of the Gospel, who were lo-
cated as pastors in particular churches, as Philip at Ce-
sarea (Acts 21:8); they held the office of presbyters
or elders (1 Pet. 5:1, 2 ; John 1), as Timothy at Eph-
esus (1 Tim. 1 : 3 ; 2 Tim. 4 : 5); or they were travel-
ling missionaries (Mark 16 : 15 ; Acts 17 : 10; 2 Cor.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 29

1 : 19). They were not officers in the churclies, nor
were the churches obliized to accept their labors against
their consent (2 Cor. 1 : 24 ; 7:2; Rev. 2 : 2). The
evangelists were moved to take upon them the work
of the ministry of the Gospel, b}- the Holy Spirit, and
were commissioned by the laying on of the hands of
the presbytery (a council consisting of other evangehsts,
and the bishops of the churches) ; and of course their
commission could be suspended (Acts 12 : 38), or re-
voked onlv bv the authority who appointed them
(Mark 9 : 39 ; 1 Tim. 1:3).

Note. — This being the order and organization of
the primitive churches, it follows that clerks, commit-
tees, agents, synods, abbots, priests, cardinals, popes,
and the whole rabble of pretended officers, societies,
and authorities, existing in the churches of the present
day, are inventions unknown to the apostles and the
churches of their times. They are the offspring of the
pride and usurpation, the indolence and sloth, of later
and more corrupt ages.

Having thus briefly defined the powers, officers,
and duties of the churches, we proceed to inquire what
we are to understand by the " angels of the churches?"

These words must be interpreted in one or more of
the following ways : 1st. The prevailing spirit or influ-
ence of each of the churches is personified ; or,

2d. There are unseen spirits, which watch over the
destiny of the body of the church, and are held re-
sponsible for its acts ; or,

3d. " The angels of the churches" are the charac-
teristic influences of all the churches at some particu-
lar ages of the world, either before or since the Chris-
tian era, or both ; or,

4:th. They are an extraordinary or distinct order of
officers; or,

5th. The churches are regarded in their corporate
capacity ; or,

6th. The angels of the churches are the usual rep-
resentatives or officers.

30 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

And 1st. Were they the prevailing spirit or influ-
ence of each of the churches personified ? or, 2d. Are
there unseen spirits who watch over the destiny of the
body of the churches, and who are held responsible for
their acts ? or, 3d, Are they characteristics of the
churches at particular ages? In reply to these queries,
it may be said that no one will seriously pretend that
Grod has left the churches to the guidance and care of
wicked spirits ; nor does the idea, that there are un-
seen spirits of any kind that watch over the destiny
of the churches, responsible to Jesus Christ for the in-
fluence, conduct, or character, of the body, seem to
have much to recommend it, because that would be like
holding one creature responsible, and under obligation
to repent for the acts of another, over whom it had no
power of control. Whatever may have been the
views of men prior to the Christian era, and notwith-
standing the discussions of later times, there is nothing
in the Scriptures of the New Testament, or in the light
of the Gospel, that indicates that the churches are in
any wise accountable to angels commissioned to dwell
among them (Rev. 1 : 4).

There is nothing in the nature of. good and holy
angels, or in their conduct, revealed to us, consistent
with this language used in either of the letters to the
seven churches. How, for instance, in the letter to the
angel of the church of Ephesus, would this language
apply to a holy one : " Eemember, therefore, from
whence thou art fallen, and repent !" Or this, in the
letter to the church of Smyrna: "Fear none of those
things which thou shalt suffer. Behold the devil shall
cast some of you into prison !" Consider also the prom-
ises to those who overcome. Nor are the threatenings
or promises any more applicable to the impersonation
of a particular influence. It is not, therefore, an un-
seen spirit, or a prevailing influence, that is addressed.

Can we say, then, in the 4th place, that the angels of
the churches are an extraordinary or distinct order of

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 31

ofiicers? This question may be understood in two
lights : either as having reference to the apostles and
prophets, whom some consider as officers extraordinary
in the churches, or of that rabble of pretended officers
who have usurped the places and appointments of
Christ. Of these, the first cannot be intended, for they
were never officers in the churches ; they Avere onlv gifts
for temporary purposes, and, acting under the immedi-
ate influence of the Holy Spirit, would not be subject
to such reproofs; and after their day, if they were
meant, the council and commands directed to the
angels of the seven churches would be nugatory and
void, and the threatenings or promises of no avail.

Nor are the angels addressed those pretended offi-
cers who have usurped place and standing in the
churches; for some of such are distinctly pointed out
as "liars" (ch. 2 : 2) and seducers (ch. 2 : 20), whom
the angels merely "suffi3red," or could "not bear."
And it would be inconsistent in the Head of the
Church to recognize such pretenders as the messengers
or angels of the churches. It would impeach his wis-
dom as a legislator, for not having appointed officers
enough to meet the exigencies of the church, or to
carry out his designs. Such an argument would indi-
cate that he had left the church, in the plenitude of
her wisdom, to legislate for herself; and the members,
in their ambition and pride, to invent posts of honor
and profit, while he was bound by their decrees, and
became responsible for their acts ! But this would de-
rogate from the purity and majesty of Christ; nay,
he rebukes and reproves such pretensions, and abhors
their works.

5th. Are we to understand by the angels of the
churches that the churches are regarded in their cor-
porate capacity ? We answer no. For although a cor-
poration aggregate may as a body exist with perpetual
life, and although, in some of the letters, the angels
are considered as in a divided state (ch. 2 : 10; 15,

32 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

24 ; ell. 3 : 4), yet the angels of the churches are no
where considered as the churches, but the candlesticks
are the emblems of the churches, and the angels are
something else.

6th. Are the angels of the churches the usual rep-
resentatives or officers of the churches ? The affirma-
tive of this seems to be the only proper construction
which can be placed upon the term angel in this place ;
and when we consider more at large the nature of their
offices and the duties enjoined upon them, this con-
struction will appear still more applicable. The elders
or bishops, and deacons, were chosen by the whole
body alone, or concurrently by the church and pres-
bytery, and commissioned by the latter. The deacons
were to take charge of the temporalities of "the churches
and the support of the poor members (Acts 6 : 2-3),
and to pay those v/ho labored with them in preaching
the Gospel. (Eom. 15 : 27 ; 1 Co. 9 : 11.) The bishops
were to take charge of the spiritualities of the church ;
to instruct the members, their children, and others
who were willing to receive instruction in the Gospel,
and to settle difficulties among brethren. But they
could neither receive nor exclude members without
the consent of the body. The officers, considered in
this light, become a board of trustees and directors,
acting as in a corporate capacity; and, as such, there
seems to me to be nothing in the letters to the seven
churches inconsistent with it ; nor, in any other light,
can those letters be consistently explained.

The . angels of the churches are therefore the offi-
cers of the churches, in their power of succession or
corporate existence, and the letters are directed to
them as the messengers of the churches, for the con-
sideration of the whole church, and are intended for
the general benefit of the whole body. For we know
that the officers of a corporation can exist as the agents
or advisers of the body, as officers acting upon a
limited discretion, responsible to the body itself, and

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 38

as such, be the messenger or angel of the body. The
officers of a church may, in reason, therefore, be held
responsible and answerable for their conduct, both to
the church and to Christ.

CHAPTEE II.

1. Letter to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus. — 8. Smyr-
na.— 12. Pergamos. — 18. Thyatira.

Verse 1. — Unto the angel of the church of 'Ephesus write ;
These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand,
who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.

Angel of the church (see ch. 1 : 20). The officers of
a church are, in their collective, corporate capacity,
the angel or messenger of the church. They were so
without further appointment, or instruction, by virtue
of their office ; and, on the same principles, and for
the same reason, that governors of states and generals
of armies are the agents and servants of their respective
departments and commands. (2 Cor. 8 : 23.) These
were the permanent and standing agents and messen-
gers of the churches ; others, it appears, might be tem-
porarily selected for some purposes (1 Cor. 16 : 8).

Ei:)hesus. At the time of John, the city of Ephesus
was the metropolis of Western Asia. The city was
of great extent and very populous, containing, it is
reported, many thousands of inhabitants, and some of
the most splendid edifices in the world. But it has
shared in the revolutions of human affairs, and is now
a heap of ruins. Most writers confound the history of
the church with that of the city ! Only a few histori-
cal fragments of this church remain ; some portions of
these are traditional, and if not fabulous, extremely

» Ch. 1 : 11, 13, 16, 20 ; Zech. 4:2; John 10 : 28, 29.
2*

34 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC EEVELATION.

doubtful. All that we know of this churcli's history
is, that it was planted by Paul, and grew in a few years
to a large and flourishing congregation (Acts 18 : 19 ;
19 : 1-7; 20 : 17, &c.). They were blessed with the minis-
try of some of the most conspicuous lights of the first
century (1 Tim. 1 : 3). Afterwards, the church became
corrupted, but not so early as some others. It con-
tinued to have accessions in numbers, but declined in
spirit (Kev. 2 : 4), until during the third century, when
its history became mingled with the civil and political
revolutions of the city, since which little is known of
the church further than that it has ceased to exist.

Holdeth the stars in Ms right hand. The stars are
the angels of the seven churches (ch. 1 : 20). He holds
them in his right hand — under his absolute protection
and dominion.

Note. — Star is here emblematical of a church offi-
cer (see ch. 6 : 13 ; 9:1, &c.).

Walketh in the midst of the candlesticks. Jesus walks
as a watchman in the midst of the churches, and every
member is recognized, his heart inspected, and his
work known.

Note. — An opinion has been held, by some that the
names of the seven churches are emblematical or alle-
gorical, and that they are descriptive of seven different
eras or states of the Christian churches, from the time
of John to the second coming of Christ and the end of
the world. They think that the state of the Ephesian
Church represents the declension succeeding the apos-
tolic times ; that of Smyrna, the church under the per-
secutions of the Eoman . Emperors ; Pergamos, the
time of Constantine and his successors ; Thyatira, the
darkest and most superstitious times preceding the
Lutheran reformation (see ch. 18 : 1) ; Sardis, from the
reformation to the reign of Christ; Philadelphia, during
the reign of Christ, or the millenium ; Laodicea, from
the millenium to the end of the world. Ecclesiastical
history does not seem to me to justify this arrange-
ment (see ch. 8 : 22).

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 35

Verse 2. — I know thy works, cand thy labor,' and thy patience,
and how thou canst not bear tbem which are evil ; and thou hast
tried them which say they are apostles, and are not; and hast found
them liars.

Verse 3. — And hast borne, and hast patience,'^ and for my
name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.

Canst not hear them that are evil. A strict discipline
cliaracterized this church, so that their morals were
untainted.

Hast tried them which say they are apostles and are
not. At that early day, during the lifetime of the
apostles, others sprung up who claimed in the churches
the powers and rights of apostles, and whose preten-
sions had to be tried by the churches (ual. 5 : 12 ; 2
Thes. 1 : 6, &c.), and their right and power to do so
are here distinctly recognized by Christ. An apostle
was one who was appointed by Jesus Christ in person
(1 Co. 9:1; ch. 1 : 20), to be an infallible teacher of
the Gospel (Mat. 16 : 19 ; 18 : 18 ; John 20 : 23). The
apostles were endowed with the gifts, common in the
early churches, of speaking in different languages, of
w^orking miracles, of prophesying, expounding the
Scriptures, and, in some instances, of discerning the
minds of other men. While they had authority, there-
fore, to declare in the name of Christ the laws for the
internal regulation of the churches, and the principles
upon which men might be saved, they had no authority
over the members of the churches, nor could they
enforce their decrees without the churches' consent
(2 Cor. 1 : 23, 24 ; 10 : 8) ; and although they sometimes
exercised a general supervision of the infant societies
they had planted, it sprang from paternal affection and
personal desire of their welfare, not from of&cial trust
or authority over them (2 Cor. 7 : 12 ; 2 Cor. 8 : 16 ;
11 : 28).

1 Ps. 1 : 6 ; Matt. 7 : 23 ; 2 Cor. 11 : 13 ; Gal. 1:7; Eph. 4 : 14; 1 Tim.
2 : 19 ; Heb. 6 : 10 ; 2 Pet. 2 : 1 ; 1 John 4:1; also vs. 9, 13, 19 ; ch.
8 : 1, 8, 15.

2 Gal. 6 : 9 ; Heb. 12 : 5 ; Eev. 1:9; Luke 18 : 1.

36 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

In addition to these general powers and quali-
fications, the apostles were endowed with an ex-
tra and special power, which was extraordinary in
its character, but temporary in its duration, and
which no other men ever possessed. It was to confer
upon others, by the imposition of hands, the gifts and
powers which the Holy Ghost had conferred upon
them (Acts 8 : 14, 17 ; Eom. 1 : 11). This power to
confer the gifts of the Holy Spirit, was restrained to
the apostles (Acts 8 : 18), and ceased with them.
Extra spiritual gifts ceased, therefore, with the con-
verts of the apostles, and, of consequence, those mira-
cles have been unknown to the world since their days.
Faith, hope, and charity, have been the permanent
graces of later churches (1 Cor. 18 : 13).

Hast not fainted. The Ephesian church had perse-
vered in the outward and visible works of Christianity
with an integrity and constancy which elicited high
commendation from Jesus himself.

Verse 4. — Nevertheless, I have somewhat against^ thee, be-
cause thou hast left thy first love.

Against thee. Good works, an unexceptionable de-
portment, and a strict church discipline, with a heart
that cannot bear them that are evil, are not suf&cient
recommendations in the sight of Christ. He requires
love. Without charity we are nothing. Faith in the
doctrines, knowledge in Scripture truth, good works
Avith morality, are indeed praiseworthy ; but to do
good to men, and to hate vice, are very different things
from love to Christ.

Verse 5. — Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen,
and repent,^ and do the first works ; or else 1 will come and remove
thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Fallen. The angels are to the churches what the
star or flame of a lamp, as seen at a distance, is to the

1 1 Cor. 18 : 2 ; Phil. 1 : 9; 1 Thes. 4:9; 2 Thes. 1:3; Heb. 6 : 10.

2 Matt. 21 : 41 ; ch. 3 : 8, 19.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 37

]amp-stand. The star is upheld and supported by the
candlestick, the candlestick is enlightened by the star ;
so the officers of a church are upheld and sustained by
the church, while they are the guides, the glory, the
light, and the shepherds of the flock. If the star or
flame of the lamp is extinguished, its praise and use-
fulness are departed ; so, if the angels of the churches
are perverted or seduced, the churches are distressed
and the members are scattered abroad. But our prin-
ciples may be firm, our zeal constant, our labors abun-
dant, even when there is a departure from our first
love. If this denotes a religious delinquency, a moral
decline, a fall, what must be the state of those whose
love and works have all departed I what must be the
state of that church whose works are perverse ! Better
far to be without works than to do evil.

Or else I will come, &c. The Ephesian church is
said to have continued in an apparently flourishing
state, for some years after this. The prediction was
conditional. If the terms of forbearance, " Eepent,
and do the first works," had been complied with, the
execution of the threat might have been delayed if not
entirely abandoned. Although it was for a time de-
layed, yet the church forgot the admonition, became
corrupt, and repentance and charity found none to
preach, and few to practice their graces. God ac-
complished the final ruin of the city by the Ottomans,
A. D. 1312. But where do we find the history of the
church? The angel of the church has fallen, the
candlestick is removed out of its place, the desolation
is complete ; the city is without an inhabitant, and the
church no longer exists.

Note. — Jesus Christ said he would " come" to do
this. The candlestick is certainly removed out of his
place at Ephesus. Christ has therefore " come" in one
sense of that word. But he came by a course of Prov-
idence. This language is common to Scripture. But
there is a special, personal, visible (2 Th. 1 : 7) com-

38 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

ing which is promised and yet future (Jude 6 ; Matt.
26 : 64; Kev. 1 : 7).

Verse 6.— But tliis thou hast, that thou' hatest the deeds of
the Nieohiitanes, whicli I also hate.

Nicolaiianes. They were a religious sect. The pe-
culiarity of their tenets is unknown. Their errors,
whatever they might have been, were by some churches
considered so unimportant that they admitted them to
fellowship (see v. 15).

Hatest. It is proper to hate evil both in doctrine
and practice. A distinction is made between the sect
and their vices. The Ephesians hated their deeds.

Verse 7. — He that hath an ear, let him hear^ wliat the Spirit
saith unto the churches. To him that overcometh will I give to
eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of
God.

He that hath an ear^ let him hear. The largest re-
ligious liberty is here proclaimed to the world. "He
that hath an ear," is commanded to listen and hear for
himself, not for another. If any one would prevent
another from hearing, to him the command is, " Let
him hear." I say this liberty is proclaimed to the
world. The letter is to the angel of the church, but
the privilege of hearing what the Spirit saith unto the
churches is granted to any one that hath an ear.

Note. — "He that hath an ear" is seven times re-
peated in Scripture; and "he that hath ears," eight
times.

Will I give to eat of the tree of life. Without a right,
Jesus could not give of the tree of life. Without om-
niscience he could not know who obeys him.

Keflections. — The instruction to be gained from
the letter to the Ephesian church is worthy of atten-

1 2 Chr. 19 : 2 ; Ps. 26 : 5 ; 2 John 9 : 10 ; Kev. 2:15.

2 Gen. 2:9; Matt. 11 : 15 ; 13 : 9, 43 ; ch. 3 : 5, 12, 21 ; ch. 13 : 9 ;
21 : 7 ; 22 : 2, 14.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 39

tion. Tliey maintained the order and discipline of the
church in the name of Christ. Thej were abundant
in works, but failed in the spirit of love ; but in hatred
to evil " deeds" they were commended. We may, there-
fore, premise that Grod is very jealous that the things
he has commanded should be done, as well in the
spirit he approves of, as in the manner he prescribes.
In this he is unchangeable. A prophecy may be ful-
filled, in perfect accordance with the determinate coun-
sel and foreknowledge of God, and be wickedly done
(Acts 2 : 23 ; Luke 22 : 22). Men may do their duty
and do it wickedly (1 Cor. 11 : 29). The delivering
up of Jesus Christ to death was an act of love (John
3 : 16), done through the determination of the Father
to glorify the riches of his grace in the salvation of
men. The time (Dan. 9 : 26), the manner (Ps. 2 : 1, 2 ;
Isai. 5 : 3), and objects of his death were before dis-
tinctly foretold, and it must needs be fulfilled (Acts 1 :
16); but the ready and willing instruments of God's
will excited his serious displeasure. No well inform-
ed believer of the Scriptures, will deny that it is every
man's duty to repent of sin (Acts 17 : 30), and to keep
the ordinances of the Gospel by separating from the
world, submitting to baptism (Al^rk 16 : 16), and often
approaching the communion in remembrance of the
death of Christ. While, therefore, it is his duty to
keep the feast of the eucharist, it is equally his duty
to keep it properly, and observe the necessary prepa-
ration, or by eating (which is his duty) he condemns
himself (1 Cor. 11 : 29). Nadab and Abihu were made
examples of this when they offered strange fire be-
fore the Lord (Lev. 10). They made their offerings
with the censer, the consecration, on the da}^, at the
time, place, and manner of the appointment. All
seemed to have been right as then ordered (Lev. 16 :
1), except the fire. So may we make our offerings in
time, place, and manner, and yet be deficient in fire or
spirit. How much more gross must be the deficiency

40 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

when the manner, time, or substance of the offering is
also lacking!

1st. Jesus Christ was crucified in all things as the
Lord had prescribed, but through a wicked zeal and
a wrong heart, the whole was a work of sin. If all
these things might be done wrong, and the intended
virtue of them perverted, why not every other relig-
ious ordinance ? Who will answer for the perversion
and levity with which baptism is assailed? It is an
ordinance of God, enjoined by the authority of the
Father and Son, and Holy Spirit (Mark 16). All that
is necessary for its right performance is as plainly de-
clared in Scripture as it is concerning the Lord's sup-
per. We do well to be serioas in these things. If
we would be "blessed" (Rev. 1 : 3) in "keeping" the
prophecies and councils of God, we who "have ears"
must not only "hear," but take heed how we hear;
and do only those things which God approves, and in
the manner and spirit he ordains, as well as at the
time he has set, and under the circumstances he has
required.

2d. We have occasion to reflect how soon the early
churches departed from the simphcity and purity of
the Christian faith. 'Even in the lifetime of the apos-
tles they had divided into sects, taken names, and cor-
rupted themselves, not only at Ephesus and Pergamos,
but also at Corinth (1 Cor. 1 : 12), and throughout Ga-
latia (Gal. 3 : 1) and other countries. They were turn-
ed from the obedience of the truth, and neither perse-
cution nor reproof was able to restore them. These
assertions cannot be denied. What confidence can be
placed in the opinions or practices of those "fathers"
who have departed so widely from the simplicity of
the Gospel ? How much less are they to be credited,
who, knowing these facts, deny them for the sake of
supporting a party or traducing a sect ! (See ch. 9 ;
ch. 13.)

Note. — See Mosheim Eccl. Hist cent. 2, part 2 ;

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION". 41

ch. 3, sec. 15 ; cent. 3, part 2, cli. 3, sec. 10, 11 ;
cent. 4, part. 2, ch. 3, sec. 16, where he accuses Am-
l)rose and Hilary, Augustine, Gregory Nazianzen, and
Jerome, of holding the maxim, "that it was an act of
virtue to deceive and lie, when by such means the in-
terests of the church might be promoted." Even Ori-
gen and Clement are accused by him of " surprising
their adversaries by artifice, and striking them down,
as it were, by lies and fiction ;" and yet he relies upon
such testimony to sustain charges of misconduct and
heresy against their opponents, and as a guide in church
history !

Verse 8. — And unto the angel of the cluireh in Smyrna
write: These things' saith the first and the hist, which* was dead,
and is alive.

Smyrna. The city of Smyrna was situated about
forty-six miles north of Ephesus. It is still celebra-
ted for the number, wealth, and commerce of its in-
habitants. It contains at present a population of about
100,000.

First and last. This is a title of Jehovah (Isa. 41 :
4), and is here applied to Jesus Christ, who was dead
and is alive.

Verse 9. — I know thy works, and tribuhition, and poverty
(but thou art rieh\'^ and I know the blasphemy of them which say
they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

/ hioiv. The exact state of this church was fully
known to him "who was dead and is alive," even to
Jesus. Their worldly poverty and distress did not
prevent his sympath}^, or pervert his judgment. He
still valued them according to their moral worth. No
Christian should ever think meanly of himself on ac-
count of worldly poverty. Wealth will indeed give

1 Isa. 41 : 4 ; 44 : 6 ; 48 : 12 ; ch. 1 : 8 ; 11, 17, 18 ; 22 : 13.
* " Who was dead."

2 Matt. 6 : 20 ; Luke 12 : 21 ; Eom. 2 : 17-28 ; 9 : 6 ; Gal. 6:12; PhU.
3:2; 1 Tim. : 6, 18 ; Jas. 2 ; 5 ; vs. 2, 19 ; ch. 1 : 9 ; 3 : 1, 8, 15.

42 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

currency and influence among men, but it is lightly
esteemed by him who judgeth the heart (Mark. 12 : 41-
44; Matt. 6:33).

Blasphemy. In Scripture, the Jews are more than
once reprimanded for blasphemy. It seems to have
been a trait peculiar to them to delight in blaspheming
the name of Jesus Christ, and compelling his follow-
ers to do so ; for this, Jesus had himself before denied
their legitimacy.

Are the synagogue. Christians are said to be the
temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 6 : 16), and of the
Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6 : 19) ; so here the Jews are not
said to be of the synagogue of Satan, but the syna-
gogue itself.

Note. — Possibly the great number of demoniacs
among the Jews, in the days of Jesus and his disci-
ples, may here be referred to, and intimating that they
were possessed more than any other nation.

Verse 10. — Fenr none of those things which thou shalt suffer.
Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may
be' tried ; and ye shall have tribulation ^ ten days. Be thou faithful
unto death, and I will give thee a crown ^ of life.

Note. — This is directed to the angel in the singu-
lar, " thou," saying, Fear none of those things which
thou shalt suffer; and yet the plural is also used,
" shalt cast some of you into prison," showing plainly
that he spoke to the officers, that through them the
whole church should hear and be advised. This
agrees with ch. 1 : 11, where John is ordered to write
what he should see, and send it " unto the churches."
In this verse also we have a recurrence of an expres-
sion similar in construction to that in ch. 1 : 7, com-
prehending a plurality in unity.

Fea.r none of those things ichich thou shalt suffer.

1 Matt. 10 : 22 ; 21 : 13 ; 1 Cor. 9 : 25 ; 2 Tim. 2:5; 4 : 7, 8 ; James
1 : 2, 12 ; ch. 3 : 11 ; 22 : 5 ; ch. 8:1; 9 : 5, 10, &c.

» Affliction. '> The crown.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 43

There is no reproof in this letter to the church in
Smyrna. They are encouraged to faithfulness and
boldness in their religion by being reminded (v. 8) that
Jesus had suftered, but "is"" alive," and if they suffered
death they should receive a "crown of life." He fur-
ther assures them that, to try them, some should be
cast into prison, yet it would be done by the devil,
both his enemy and theirs, but their tribulation should
be of the comparatively short continuance of "ten"
prophetic " days," or ten years, common time (see ch.
8:1, &c.). The consequences of this persecution must
have been felt long afterwards, and have been of great
importance to that or other churches, to need such a
marked notice from Jesus Christ. He intimates that
the persecution Avas already begun, and by Jews —
" the synagogue of Satan," v. 9, and would continue
yet ten years.

Ten days. There is no record in history which
goes to show that this church suftered ten days, or ten
years, while other churches were at rest. They are
warned, or at least the persecution is described as open
and violent, supported by law, or the prisons could not
have been used by the Jews, who were instigated by the
devil (v. 9). It is a well-established maxim, that " what
one does by another he does by himself." But, in
doing a wicked act by another, both parties may be
guilty ; and even in a good act one of the parties may
be criminal. As in the case of Christ's death, it is said
that " God spared not his own son, but freely gave
him up for us all " (Rom. 8 : 32). Now, it is manifest
that this act on the part of God will bear legal inves-
tigation, and be approved of justice in a court of
equity, or God could not be just and justify the un-
godly (Rom. 4: 5). For if the premises be wrong, the
actions based upon them cannot be right. If the foun-
dations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do ?
But, although God was just in it, yet the actors were
criminal. So in those trials at Smyrna; the object of

44 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

God in permitting them is good and salutary (1 Pet.
1:7; Heb. 12 : 8), but the instigator and his emissa-
ries are evil.

When we take into consideration the time neces-
sary to frame and promulgate a law, or even an arbi-
trary edict, the hesitation and discussion that must
precede the deliberate violation of a public statute by
a well-informed Christian, the arrest, conviction, and
punishment of such as should, from convictions of
duty, disobey the law, ten literal days would scarcely
seem sufficient to accomplish such an end. Nor could
the ebullitions of a mob, or the violent proceedings of
magistrates acting without law, which should last but
ten days — the actors in which might afterwards be
brought to justice — be magnified into sufficient impor-
tance to become the subject of a special prophecy, or
extra spiritual admonition to a particular church, since
all the churches and all Christians have been liable to
suffer such things from the time Christianity was first
published to the present. It would therefore appear
most probable that the Christians at Smyrna were
encouraged to steadfastness in contemplation of a pub-
lic edict, the execution of which should be severely
felt in that city. Whether this was the persecution of
the Emperor Domitian, A. D. 81 to A. D. 96, or Diocle-
sian, A. D. 304, or of Constantine, A. D. 325, is not defi-
nitely settled by the partial and indefinite histories of
the times.

The "ten days" mentioned in this verse, is the first
instance of specific prophetic time definitely stated in
the Revelation. The terms "quickly," "shortly," and
"the time is at hand," have before occurred as pro-
phetic, but when the eras which are intended by these
expressions should commence, how long continue, or
when terminate, is entirely unknown. The expres-
sions, "half-hour," "day," "month," "year," and
" times," occur in the course of this prophecy. When
any period in either of these times is distinctly marked,

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 45

and its exact meaning ascertained, we may safely con-
clude that every corresponding epoch, whether longer
or shorter, will bear a corresponding relation to the
whole and to each of the others, that that particular
one does to tlxe text. That is : a prophetic day will
bear the same proportion, in the duration of its fulfil-
ment, to a prophetic month, that the month does in its
duration to the time of its fulfilment; e. g., the dura-
tion of a prophetic day is the thirtieth part of a pro-
phetic month ; and the month, the twelfth part of a
year, and vice versa. Now, if in any given prophecy
of the same class, we can ascertain the length of time
consumed in the fulfilment of a prophetic day, or year,
we can also judge, by comparing this result with any
other specific time, the duration required for its fulfil-
ment. Well, it has been ascertained that the time
required for the fulfilment of some prophetic eras is
360 times as long as the period mentioned in the text
where they occur. That is, a prophetic day denotes
860 days, or one year of common time, and a prophetic
year stands for 360 years of common time. This has
been ascertained by comparing certain distinct prophe-
cies of the Old Testament Scriptures with the history
of their fulfilment. It was said by Daniel (ch. 9 : 25),
that from the going forth of the commandment to
restore and rebuild Jerusalem, to the Messiah the
Prince, should be seven weeks, and threescore and
two weeks, making sixty-nine weeks of seven days,
each equal to 483 prophetic days. By a reference to
history we ascertain that this was literally fulfilled in
483 years common time, being a year of common time
to a day of prophetic time. We shall also see that
this mode of interpretation holds good in the unques-
tionable fulfilment of all the prophecies of the Eeve-
lation to the present time. The only exceptions in
Scripture are Isa. 23 : 15 ; Jer. 25 : 11 ; Dan. 9:2;
Eze. 29 : 11 ; but these were either of another class of
prophecies, or explained at the time of their utterance
(See ch. 11 : 2 ; ch. 13 : 5, &c.).

46 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Verse 11. — He that hath an ear, let him hear' what the Spirit
saith unto the churches; he that overcometh, shall not be hurt of
the second death.

Let him hear what the Spirit saith. The first Adam
was made a living soul ; the second Adam, a quicken-
ing spirit. In that character he here speaks, or the
Father, who gave him this Revelation, is called " the
Spirit" (seech. 1:1; 2:7).

Second death (See ch. 20 : 6, 14).

Reflections. — If we would obey the commands to
hear, we must also overcome. The command must be
kept with a desire of pleasing God, with a faithful heart.
If we would have the works of obedience meritorious
in justification (James 2 : 24), they must also be the
works of faith. They must be done with holy intentions ;
with love to men and faith towards God. We must not
infringe upon any other requirements of the Bible, or
neglect them. In our obedience we must not injure
others, or designedly do them any thing we would not
willingly have them do to us. We are to consider the
circumstances in which we are placed : our duty to
others, their rights as equals, or sovereigns, their con-
ditions as men, the services or honors due them, and
our own accountability. Two men may have similar
rights, but no two can enjoy identical ones at the same
time. Two men may have the right of preserving
their own lives at the same time, but the preservation
of my life is not identical with the preservation of
another man's. Every man has the right, and it is his
duty, to search the Scriptures, and hear for himself
what the Spirit saith unto the churches. This he can
do without infringing "upon the rights or duties of
another. But with the duty enjoined, perfect freedom
is proclaimed. No one is compelled to hear, nor iS
any one commanded to make him hear. For a breach
of duty, or abuse of freedom, in this case, he is held

1 Mutt. 11 ; 15 ; 13:9; v. 7 ch. 3 : 6 ; 13 : 22 ; 13:9; 20 : 14 ; 21 : 8.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 47

accountable to him who proclaims the sayings of the
Spirit — to him who "was dead and is alive." If,
therefore, I abuse my liberty, the fault is my own ; I
am answerable to God. If, in the abuse of my liberty,
I infringe upon another man's rights, I am answerable
both to him and to God. ^o man, therefore, whether
he be a ruler or citizen, can compel my duty to God,
for that is assuming the prerogatives of the Almighty ;
but he may compel my duty to himself, for that is his
right.

Eights may be in parcenery, but when one's rights
are defined they are his exclusivel}'. Eights to a high-
way may be mutual, but the occupancy by one bars
the right of every other man to the same place at the
same time. Eights do not cannot conflict. My rights
are limited, and bounded by the rights of every other
man, and the rights of every other man by mine.
Eights that are alike, or mutual, can never conflict. If
claims conflict, some of them are unjust. If there is
war or conflict, it is an abuse of freedom, not a con-
flict of rights. The Eevelation proclaims to every one
a marked and clearly defined right to hear the word
of God and to worship him. No one has a right to
compel ; none to hinder. If we hinder, we usurp his
rights and disobey the injunction, "let him hear." If
we compel, we make him our servant, not God's. If,
from obedience to the laws, or respect to the customs
of. a country, I conform to religious worship, I be-
come a servant of the law, a slave to custom, not the
freeman of Christ. To "sufter," to be "cast into pri-
son," and to "have tribulation," for obedience to God,
would be virtues on the part of the Christians at
Smyrna, for Avhich they should be rewarded with a
"crown of life." To inflict such things, would be
oppression, a violation of rights, for which the oppres-
sors are denounced with the punishments of Satan.

48 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Verse 12. — And to the angel of the church in Pergnmos,
write : These things saith he which hath the sharp' sword with
two edges.

Pergamos. Ancient Troy is called Pergamos by
the poets, from the shape and beauty of one of its
citadels, but the Pergamos of the text, now called
Bergamo, was au inland city, about 64 miles north of
Smyrna. It was anciently the metropolis of Mysia,
and the residence of the Attalian kings. It contains,
at present, a population of 15,000 or 20,000, professing
various religions. Christian, Jewish, and Mohamme-
dan.

Sword. Sword is an emblem of authority, con-
quest, war (Isai. 34 : 5 ; Lev. 26 : 25 ; Kom. 18 : 4 ;
Ps. 17 : 18 ; Heb. 4: 12), as well as the symbol of the
instruments of vengeance, and of the divine judgment
(See also ch. 6 : 4). The word of God is compared to
a sword (Heb. 4 : 12), because it is spoken by authority
and enforced with decision and power.

Verse 13. — I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even
where Satan's seat' is ; and thou holdest fast my name,'' and hast
not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my
faithful martyr,'^ who was shun among you, where Satan dwel-
leth.

Satanh seat. The word rendered ''seat," is in Gr.
^povos ; Lat., throims : and signifies a throne, or king-
dom ; that is, the possession or exercise of any worldly
or temporal power or influence, and is an emblem of
power or dominion, dignity and authority. In this
place it is put for the centre or vortex of idolatry.

There was anciently a famous temple at Pergamos,
dedicated to Esculapius, the god of phytic, which was
a resort of the rich and fashionable, the invalid and

1 rii. 1 : II, 16 ; 2 : 16 ; 19 : 15, 21 ; Heb. 4 : 12.

2 Ch. 8 : 1, 8, 15 ; v. 10 ; ch. 13:2; ch. 7 : 15 ; [21 : 3 ; Matt. 24 : 9 ;
Acts D : 14 ; 1 Tim. 5:8; Jude 3.

* Throne. ^ Witness.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION". 49

the religious votary. The god worshipped here had
the reputation of healing all kinds of disease, and even
raising several from the dead. Besides the court of
the kings and the temple of the god, a library of
20,000 volumes of rare and costly works, founded by
Attains, one of her sovereigns, attracted scholars from
every country, men of leisure and talents, inquisitive
minds and disciplined intellects. Idolatry was thus for-
tified by power, riches, talents, learning, antiquity, and
reputation ; and the city became the seat of Satan, an
intrenchment from which his decrees went forth with
authority, and in which he seemed to be defended
against encroachments or attack. In this stronghold,
in spite of martyrdom, the servants of Jesus had
planted the standard of the cross, and He with his
two-edged sword walked in the midst of them to chas-
ten and defend. Idolatry is every where inseparably
connected with the worship of demons. In it they are
dignified and exalted, and by it both God and man
are degraded.

Verse 14. — But I have a few things against thee, because thou
hast there them that hold the doctrme of Balaam, who taught Ba-
lak to cast a stumbling-block before the children^ of Israel, ^ to
eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Verse 15. — So hast thou also them that hold the^ doctrine of
the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

Hold the doctrme of Balaam — of the Nicolaitanes,
Nicholas is the same in the Greek language that Ba-
laam is in the Hebrew. The name signifies " the con-
queror of the people." But the Balaamites and the
Nicolaitanes were distinct sects. In verse 6, he said
he hated the "works," here, the "doctrines" of the
Nicolaitanes. Their peculiar tenets and works are but
little known. Early historians are not agreed concern-

1 Num. 22 : 23 ; 24 : 14 ; 25 : 1 ; 81 : 16 ; Acts 15 : 1, 29 ; 1 Cor. 8 :
9 ; 2 Pet. 2 : 15 ; Jude 11.

» ToJv vlwp '\(TpaT\X, i. e., the sons of Israel.
i! Numbers 25 : 5 ; 81 : 8 ;*v. 6.

3

50 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

ing them. What is said of them, appears more like
surmises and glosses upon this text, than a transcript
of authentic records. It is said the Nicolaitanes assum-
ed this name from Nicholas of Antioch, who was a
Gentile bj birth, but became a proselyte to Judaism,
and afterwards a convert to Christianity. He removed
to Jerusalem, where he was chosen "one of the seven."
Whether he had any connection with this sect or not,
is unknown. It is said they allowed a community of
wives (but this is very questionable, and most proba-
bly a slander invented in an after age), and made no
distinction between ordinary meats and those offered
to idols [in this last charge they have the countenance
and support of Scripture]. (Mat. 15 : 11 ; 1 Co. 8:8;
10 : 27, &c.) But whatever might have been their
doctrines or works, they were inconsistent with Chris-
tianity, and displeasing to Jesus Christ.

Some of the doctrines of the Balaamites are here
stated, and their pernicious consequences pointed out.
Balaam was a man who figures in Scripture, and was
conspicuous in his time. He was the son of Beor, or
Besor, of the city Pethor, on the Euphrates (Num. 22 :
.S). He himself was a professed worshipper of Jehovah,
but for the sake of wealth and popularity he connived
at the idolatry of others, and sold his influence to per-
suade the Twelve Tribes, under Moses, to intermarry
with the people of the neighboring nations, thus ren-
dering their marriages, according to the law of Moses,
absolutely void (Deu. 7:8; Josh. 23 : 12 ; Neh. 13),
and of consequence no better than a cloak to fornica-
tion, by which the Israelites were persuaded to gratify
their paramours, in idolatry, and to eat with them those
things which had been consecrated by idolatrous sacri-
fices or divinations, contrary to the laws of G-od ; in
effect, confounding Jehovah and his worshippers with
the gods and idolaters of the land.

Balaam, although a professed worshipper and pro-
phet of Jehovah, calling him ''my God," adopted, an4

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC EEVELATION. 51

for gain, idolatrous practices, rites, and appliances, in
his devotions. And, to maintain his character as a
prophet, in the estimation of Balak, he condescended
to the enchantments of divination. Balaam seems to
have been persuaded of the truths of the religion he
professed, and, in a good degree, acquainted with the
character of God. But he was a man of easy religious
virtue, a lover of worldly honors and wealth — one
who, in our times, would be called liberal-minded —
determined to pass smoothly through this life, enjoying
the good things of the present time, and hoping to
secure the felicity of the world to come. There was
one feature in the conduct of Balaam, that has excited
the surprise of some. He would persevere in his
wishes against the express word of God. Balaam was
self-willed, but no more so than any man who hesitates
to comply with the dictates of his conscience, or con-
viction of duty. For neither evidence, nor miracles,
nor knowledge, can add force or authority to a consci-
entious conviction of duty. Balaam preferred to risk,
the consequences of disobedience, rather than to trust
the rewards of submission. When his religion and
his temporal interests ran in the same channel, he was
devotional and pious, but when they diverged, he
pursued his present interests to the neglect of his reli-
gious profession. He loved the wages of unrighteous-
ness. Both the Balaamites and the Nicolaitanes were
professed Christians, held in fellowship by the church
of Pergamos. Their errors had not appeared of a
character to alarm the officers of the church, as they
had at Ephesus. They attended worldly fairs and
idolatrous feasts (1 Cor. 11), and under certain restric-
tions were guilty of fornication, which Jesus saw to be
sufficient to* ruin the spiritual influence of the whole
body.

The term fornication is emblematical of spiritual
delinquency (v. 21). See ch. 13.

52 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

Verse 16. — Repent, or else I will come' unto thee quickly,
and will fight against them with the sword of ray mouth.

Repent^ or else I will come unto thee and fight
against them (see cli. 1 : 7, &c.) ; and they will have for
an enemy not man, who when he hath killed the body
hath no more that he can do, bnt God. I, who have
the sharp sword with two edges, will come and fight
against them with the sword of my mouth. I, who
have the keys of death and hell, and when I have
killed the body have power to cast into hell.

Balaam was first withstood and afterwards slain
with the sword.

Fight against them. This language indicates that
the letter was intended, through the address of the
angel of the church, for the whole congregation ; and
repentance was demanded, both of the officers who
permitted them to remain in the church, and the delin-
quents who covertly remained there. If they did not
repent, judgments would suddenly surprise them and
sweep off the transgressors. Of the fulfilment of this
threat, or their compliance with the demand, all that
can be said is, that the history of the church is mostly
lost. The city, once the seat of learning, and of which
the site was in a fertile country, has lost much of its
splendor. The church has fallen with the city.

Verse 17. — He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches : To him that overcometh will P give to
eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in
the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving him
that receiveth it.

Churches. It was the intention that every one
should regard all that was said to each church, and
for this purpose John was directed to send a copy to
each (see ch. 1 : 11, 19).

1 Isa. 11 : 4 ; 49 : 2 ; Eph. 6 : 17 ; 2 Thes. 2:8; Heb. 4:12; ch. 1 :
16 ; 3 : 3, 19 ; 19 : 15, 21.

2 Isa. 62 : 6 ; 65 : 15 ; Matt. 11 : 15 ; 13 : 9, 43 ; John 4 : 32 ; 6 : 83 ;
49 : 58 ; vs. 7, 11 : ch. 3 : 6 ; 12 : 22 ; 13 : 9 ; 19 : 12.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 53

Hidden manna. Enlarged upon ch, 19, v. 12.
Manna supplied the vast hosts of Israel nearly forty
years in the Arabian desert, a sample of which was
preserved among them to the reign of Solomon, a
period of more than four and a half centuries, and
laid up in the Holy of Holies, at the dedication of the
temple.

Manna is the symbol of joy, life, and perhaps of
plenty.

White stone. Stones were sometimes used in elec-
tions, as a kind of ballot, and, very anciently, among
the Greeks for giving sentence in courts of judicature.

" Black and white stones were used in ages past ;
These to acquit the prisoner, those to cast."

Ovid Met. B. 15, 41.

Henf e, in this light, the '' white stone " is the symbol
of justification.

Eeflections. — What inducements were held out
in this city to apostacy ! what appliances to a partial
worldly conformity ! If, on the impulse of strong
conviction, a man should attach himself to Christ, he
might still, by a little condescension, screen himself
from persecution, where property, reputation, liberty,
life, friends, wife, children, were all exposed ! Who
would hold to an unseen, unrealized promise of a dis-
tant reward, at the risk of all that is dear in life, when
a compliance to a seemingly unimportant request, of
burning a few grains of incense, or eating a morsel of
rice, would secure instant protection, advancement,
and wealth ? But might not such a request be com-
plied with, and the hope of the promised manna be
still retained? No, said Christ — no conformity to
the world, no compliance with idolatry. He that
receives the "white stone" must first overcome. Too
often has this time-serving disposition prevailed among
worldly-minded professors. A partial compliance with
the world was a shield against persecution ; modifying

54 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

the rigid austerities of Christianity, a passport to
favor, and a means of gaining the good-will of num-
bers who will never love the plain truth, or conform
to its requirements. Is the pride of the human heart
subdued, or the cause of Christ advanced by this ?
No : it is followed by a sacrifice of true religion and a
disgrace to the Christian name. It was the duty of
the angel of the church in Pergamos, to reprove
worldly conformity, and the church should have ex-
cluded with firmness from their communion and soci-
ety, the members who embraced false doctrines or
practised error. But had they done so, how soon
would the cry of bigotry and intolerance have been
heard on all sides, from the liberal ones! "Union,
union, down with the bars," would have pealed from
the Balaamites to the Nicolaitanes, and the city would
have been filled with their complaints. But if Chris-
tians would retain the approbation of God, they must
often risk the denunciations of men.

Verse 18. — And unto the angel of the church in' Thyatira
write ; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like
unto a flame of fire ; and hia feet are like fine brass :

Verse 19. — I know thy works, and charity, and'^ service, and
faith, and thy patience, and thy works ; and the last to be more than
the first.

Thyatira. This city was about 48 miles eastward
from Pergamos, and 33 west of Sardis, situated near
the river Lycus. Its ancient name was Pelopia. This
was the city of Lydia spoken of in Acts 16 : 14. The
city is now as formerly celebrated for its manufacto-
ries of purple and scarlet which are sent to Smyrna
for sale. It is an inconsiderable place of between two
and three thousand inhabitants.

Charity. The Ephesians, who had left their first
love, could not bear them that were evil (ch. 2:2).

1 Ch. 1 : 14, 15, 20 ; Matt. 3 : 17 ; Luke 1 : 35 ; Acts 8 : 37 ; Eom.
8 : 32.

2 2 Cor. 9 : 1-12 ; cli. 1 : 9, 3 ; 1 : 8, 25.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 55

The Thyatirians, wlio held their love, were rich in
service, faith, and good works, could bear with the
wicked and suffer them to remain in the church (see
V. 20).

Verse 20. — Notwithstanding, I have a few things' against thee,
because thou sufterest that woman Jezebel, which calletb herself a
prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication,
and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Seduce. "Was the Book of Eevelation written be-
fore or after the first Epistle of John ? (See 1 John
2 : 26.)

Eat things sacrificed to idols. We know that meat
commendeth not to God (1 Cor. 8), for neither if we
eat, are we the better ; nor, if we eat not, are we the
worse. But if we eat things sacrificed to idols with
conscience of the idol, our consciences being weak are
defiled. Or if we eat things consecrated to idols,
knowing that the idol is nothing more than a vain
imagination, and give thanks to God the Father, of
whom are all things, for the provision set before us,
and none others are present who reverence idols, we
do not then commit sin. But if others are present
who reverence idols, and, by our conduct, they are
led to mistake our motives, we sin not against God, to
whom we have given thanks, but against the weak
conscience of the spectators, which, if we were aware
of it, would be unlovely and uncharitable in us. We
give occasion for them to stumble, and embolden their
consciences to persevere in idolatry, and harden them
against repentance. The principle involved is this.
If by thus eating we falsely or truly confess that we
ourselves believe in idolatry, or if by thus eating we
persuade others to believe it, or fortify them in the
belief, we commit sin, even though by this deception
we screen ourselves or others from perils or loss. But

1 Ex. 34 : 15 ; 1 Kiugs 16 : 81 ; 2 Kings 9:7; Acts 15 : 20 ; 1 Cor. 8 :
9: 10:19,20.

66 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC EEVELATIOK.

if we proceed a step further, and, pretending to be
prophets and prophetesses, eat in the name of God and
the Lord Jesus, the wickedness is doubly aggravated
by seducing others, under the pretence that he ap-
proves and sanctions it, thus confounding him with
idols, and making him a party to our faults and
responsible for our sins. This last seems to have been
the case of the seducing Jezebel of Thyatira.

Jezebel. The Jezebel we read of in first and second
Kings, was the daughter of Ethbaal, king of Sidon,
and wife of Ahabj king of Israel. She was a worship-
per of the goddess Ashtoreth, to whom King Solomon
prayed or offered sacrifices (1 Kings 11 : 5, 33), and a
patroness of the worshippers of Baal. She resisted
the worship of Jehovah and murdered some of his
adherents, but zealously promoted idolatry. She was
killed by being thrown from a chamber window and
trampled under foot by Jehu's horses.

Some of the features of Jezebel's character, which
appear most clearly delineated, are, that, being a female,
her sex should have inclined her to modesty and ten-
derness, but she was bold and cruel ; she was an
alien in Israel : she should therefore have been gentle
and retiring, but she was masculine and forward;
her husband was her lord and king : she ought to
have been obedient and submissive, but she aspired
to govern and control him ; her worship differed from
the religion of the land, yet she enjoyed liberty of
conscience : with this she ought to have been satisfied,
but she attempted to restrain the religious rights of
others; she was at liberty to recommend her religion
by arguments drawn from the good results of its prac-
tice and the purity of its doctrines, but she chose to
seduce and corrupt the worshippers of Jehovah, and
to shackle and govern the religion of the state ; while
privileged with the free exercise of her own natural
rights, she harassed, imprisoned, and oppressed the
innocent and defenceless; rich and haughty, she

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 67

robbed tlie poor and meek ; and on the whole, she
seems to have been wicked, artful, daring, bold, and
aspiring. A woman of haughty and masculine deport-
ment, ruthless and persevering in hatred, enthusiastic
and corrupt in religion, and a stranger to tenderness —
her name is used as a symbol of cruelty, wickedness,
and idolatry. But all these traits of depravity do not
seem to have blackened the character of the prophetess
of Thyatira. There is a tradition that she was the
wife of the pastor of this church. This is possible,
but the proof is too slender to gain our credence. She
seems to have resembled the Nicolaitanes and Balaam-
ites of Pergamos in her conduct, but at heart an idola-
tress or atheist. Her seductions were under the mask
of pretended inspiration. She seems by sly and insidi-
ous approaches to have seduced and corrupted those
over whom she could obtain an influence. Her ambi-
tion was to control the servants of Christ and raise up
a party of followers or children in the church. She
evaded the common rule, which, under the regulations
of the Grospel, prohibits women from teaching in the
churches, by assuming a direct inspiration, an autho-
rity independent of the Scriptures, and, as she alleged,
from God himself Her followers had become a sect
in the church, and Jesus made it a matter of complaint
and strong protest, that they were allowed to remain
there. In the doctrines of the mad prophet, Balaam,
of Pergamos, and the prophetess of Thyatira, we see
the first glimmerings of the woman of Babylon (ch.
18 and ch. 17). How, and in what form, wickedness
showed its first workings in the church, and by what
means, all Asia, and at length Africa and Europe,
were turned away from the Gospel (2 Thes. 2 : 7 ; 2
Tim. 1 : 15).

Verse 2L — And I gave her space to repent of her fopiicatipn,
and she repented not.^

1 Jer. 3 : 8, 9 ; Ez. 28 : 31.

3*

58 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

/ gave her space to repent. Jesus is exalted to give
repentance, but when it is offered, it seems it may be
rejected. God will not compel an acceptance of his
gifts (see v. 14).

Verse 22. — Behold, I will cast her into a' bed, and them that
commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent
of their deeds.

Cast. The threat is peremptory that he will cast
her into a bed of tribulaiion, because he had already
given her space for repentance, and she had refused to
repent in the time given her ; but to the sect of her
followers it is conditional : if they repent they shall
not be cast in with her. In the letters to Ephesus and
Pergamos, the direction to repentance is to the angel
of the churches ; here, it is to the sect.

Verse 23. — And I will kill her children^ with death, and all
the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins
and hearts ; and I will give unto every one of you according to
your works.

/ luill hill. The great principle here determined is,
that the deluded followers of false teachers are liable
to the same punishments as their seducers. If
the blind lead the blind they shall all fall into the
ditch. But in this case, the leaders are not themselves
blinded (see ch. 9, fifth trumpet). They are threaten-
ed with tribulation — the children with death. But
none besides Him who searcheth the reins and hearts,
has a right to take life for the delinquencies of reli-
gious worship.

Death. Death is here something more than bodily
dissolution. ^Natural death they should all suffer,
whether they repented or not. But this word is em-

1 Job 38 : 19 ; Ps. 41 : 8 ; Isa. 28 : 20 ; vs. 5, 14.

2 1 Sam. 16:7; 2 Chr. 6 : 80 ; Ps. 7 : 10 ; 62 : 13 ; Jer. 11 : 20 ; Matt.
16 : 27: John 2 : 24, 25 ; Acts 1 : 24 ; Rom. 8 : 27 ; 2 Cor. 5 : 20 ; ch. 20
12.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 59

phatic, and apparently symbolical. To say " I will
kill her children/' if all should fall suddenly by vio-
lence, in a day, as in the case of ancient Jezebel, would
not be so terrible, or carry with it that mysterious and
consuming efficacy, which is intentionally conveyed
here by the addition of the word " death." I will kill
them with death, carries with it, unavoidably, the idea
of extinguishing the hope of future hapjDiness. As if
he had said, unless they repent, they shall be given
up to idolatry and shall suddenly perish. To kill
with death, then, is to leave apostates to perish in
idolatry (see ch. 6 : 8).

All the churches shall know. Their death should
be attended with such evident tokens of the divine
displeasure, that other churches should see that it was
by the special judgments of Heaven, as was the de-
struction of the house of Ahab.

I am he that searcheth. To search the heart is the
prerogative of Deity. Jesus Christ has announced
that all the churches shall" know that it is he that
doeth it, and that he will dispense rewards and punish-
ments according to their works : in exact justice, nei-
ther less nor more. If he were not endowed with the
attributes of omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipo-
tence, how absurd this promise ! how impotent the
threat !

Vekse 24. — But unto you I say, and unto' the rest in Thyatira,
As many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the
depths of Satan, as they speak ; I will put upon you none other
burden :

Verse 25. — But that which ye have already, hold fast till I
come.*^

And unto the rest The reproofs in verses 22 and
23 were intended for the deceived followers of the
prophetess. In this verse the address is renewed to

1 Eph. 5 : 8, 11 ; 6:12; 1 John 1:5; ch. 12:9:13: U.

2 Ch. 3 : 11.

60 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

the officers, or angel of the church, in the plural, and
is also carried forward to the remaining members of
the church, who were not of the apostate party. This
division of the address shows that the angel resided
with them, and was regarded as in a corporate exist-
ence.

Have not known the dej^tlis of Satan^ as they speak.
The word translated depths {/Sa^r}) is used to denote
that which is profound, abstruse, or mysterious, and
seems here to be taken for "secrets." If this is the
correct rendering, the verse may be paraphrased : '' To
you, I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, who do not
hold this doctrine, and have not known the secrets of
Satan which they teach, I will lay upon you no other
burden. Hold fast till I come.

From this, it appears to have been a secret combi-
nation, of the exact character of which the rest of the
church was not fully apprised. They are therefore
not reproved or commanded to repent in a body, but
only those who had received the doctrines and were
initiated into their rites. These secrets were of Satan,
and led to idolatry and wicked practices ; at least,
they were of a seductive and unchristian tendency.
All secrecy does not imply wickedness, nor must it
always be antagonistical to Christianity. But it is, in
general, a suspicious trait, where men decline investi-
gation and shun the light. And in every secret society
which church-members join, they receive either more
or less than the doctrines of Christ. If more, they
undertake what they ought not, and become entangled
in unnecessary promises or duties, by which they neg-
lect the superior duties to Christ and the brethren, and
throw an onerous burden on the other members of
the church. If less, the church is still obliged to bear
with them (if retained in fellowship), and to be held
by the world, in a measure, responsible for their con-
duct, however suspicious, not having means of inves-
tigation to defend or repudiate their principles as right
or wrong.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 61

No other burden — but that whicli you shall suffer
by means of this sect.

Hold fast till I come. This address continues to
each individual during life, to a corporation or society
during its existence, and to both until the fulfilment
of the promise of his coming.

Verse 26. — And lie that overcometh ' and keepeth my works
unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.

Overcometh. Christians are here represented as sol-
diers under arms, in a state of conflict and battle.
Their weapons are not carnal, but spiritual, and they
overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of
their testimony (ch. 12 : 11). They war against the
wickedness of their own hearts, and overcome them
by their faith in the name of Jesus. They war against
the wickedness of the world, and reprove it by the
word of God, the sword of the Spirit of truth. And
they fight against the devil, who is the ruler both of
the secret and public wickedness of men, and the ene-
my and opposer of their salvation. They overcome
him through the power of the Spirit of God, an assist-
ance which is always granted in answer to honest and
humble prayer. When do they overcome ? Always at
death, for he that is dead hath ceased from sin. Some-
times before death (1 John 2 : 13).

Keepeth my luorks unto the end. The children of
God are known from false or superficial professors,
only by their persevering attachment to his Son. All
other professors are antichrist. They leave the chil-
dren of God and the society and communion of saints,
because they are not of them, for if they had been,
they would continue with them (1 John 2 : 19). The
end, in this connection, means the termination of their
probation — the close of earthly trials.

1 Ps. 2 : 8 ; Dan. 7 : 22 ; Matt. 19 : 28 ; Luke 22 : 29 ; John 6 : 29 ;
1 Cor. 6 : 3 ; 1 John 3 : 23 ; ch. 8 : 1 : 20 : 4; 22 : 5.

62 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

Verse 27. — And he shall rule them with a rod of ^ h'on ; as the
vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers,^ even as I have
received of my Father.

Verse 28. — And I will give him the morning star.^

Shall rule them. After Christians have kept his
works unto the end, they shall rule the nations. How-
long after the end this rule will commence, is not stated
(see ch. 20 : 4 ; 22 : 5).

Iron is the symbol of strength or endurance.

Morning star. The promises to those who over-
come are all figurative and highly metaphorical. They
indicate, in general, a consciousness of personal iden-
tity, an advanced and satisfactory state of happiness,
exemption from further temptations and sufferings,
and an active and innocent concern for the welfare of
others.

Verse 29. — He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches.^

Spirit The repetition of this command to hear
the Spirit, shows, not that it was a mere form, but
indicates the importance of hearing this in preference
to any thing else. If all other things be neglected, let
a man attend to this. If he have an ear, let him hear.
The constant connection, relation, and division of the
rulers of heaven and earth, into Father, Son, and
Spirit, and the frequent interchange of titles, conveys
to the unsophisticated mind, in reference to them, the
idea of equality, unity, and diversity.

Keflections. — On reviewing the letter to the
church of Thyatira, three things strike us as of lead-
ing importance.

FiEST : From verses 18, 20, we gather the great
truth that Jesus Christ does not justify his people in

1 Ps. 2 : 8, 9 ; 49 : 15 ; Dan. 7 : 22 ; Matt. 11 : 27 ; Luke 22 : 29 ;
'John 17 : 24.

a Dashed to pieces. 2 2 Pet. 1 : 19 ; ch. 22 : 16.

3 Matt. 11 : 15 ; 13 : 9, 43 : vs. 7, 11,17; chap. 3:6; 18 : 22 ; 13 : 9.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 63

any compromise or cliiircli union witli sinners (v. 15 ;
2 John 10 ; 1 Cor. 5 : 11). To suffer the unconverted
to enter the church, even on trial, or to remain there
when known, is disobedience to God, and provokes a
war with him, whose eyes are as a flame of fire and
his feet like fine brass.

Secondly : It is a philosophical truth that the
principles of the parent may form the virtues or vices
of the child. The false principles of the Thyatiriaii
prophetess might prove the destruction of her chil-
dren ; not because she adopted them, but because they
inherit them. How seasonable the admonition that the
fathers of the church train up the youth of their soci-
ety in the nurture of the Lord !

Thirdly : The principle contested in the denunci-
ation of the prophetess, as well as Balaam, is that
they taught false doctrines in the name of Christ, and
seduced God's servants into licentiousness and idola-
try, out of regard to him. They said. Believe this : we
are the prophets of the Lord : he has taught it. Do
this : we are his prophets : he has enjoined it. De-
testable practices and wicked doctrines were therefore
imputed to him, and to his word. If men will sin, let
them sin, or if they will relate dreams, let them relate
them as dreams, but not impute vileness and sin to
the Lord. This was the favorite device of the harlot
who rode the beast from the sea (ch. 17 and 18). She
repeated " the burden of the Lord," " the burden of
the Lord," and commanded idolatry in the name of
Christ and his apostles. So, in still later times, perse-
cution has been vindicated, and even enjoined, by
Protestants, in the name of the Lord, and even slavery
is also justified by an appeal to Scripture ! as if God,
or his Gospel, could connive at Avickedness or jus-
tify sin.

64 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

CHAPTER III.

1. Letter to the Angel of the Church in Sardis. — 7. In Phil-
adelphia.— 14. In Laodicea.

Verse 1. — Unto the angel of the church in Sardis^ write : These
things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven
stars ; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest,
and art dead.

Sardis. From Thyatira to Sardis was about thirtj-
tlaree miles. Sardis was between thirty and forty miles
east of Smyrna. This city was the capital of Lydia,
or Lud, in Asia Minor, and the home of the Lydian
kings. It was the residence of the famous Croesus,
who was taken prisoner b}^ Cyrus. Some ruins still
attest its ancient splendor. It was celebrated for great
opulence, and the voluptuousness of its inhabitants.
It has since been entirely depopulated^ but contains at
present a few cottages.

The seven sjnints of God and the seven stains. I have
shown (ch. 1 : 20) that the seven stars are emblematic
of the officers of the churches, in their corporate ex-
istence.

Star is a symbol often used in Scripture (ch. 2 : 1)
to denote a public officer, in a conspicuous station,
whether in heavenly or earthly places. It may denote
any person of a strong and sagacious mind or influen-
tial standing. The seven spirits are represented as
distinct from the seven stars, which are the angels of
the seven churches of Asia (ch. 1 : 4). The seven
spirits form a conspicuous figure, in several places, in

1 Eph. 2 : 1, 5 ; 1 Tim. 5 : G ; chap. 1 : 4, 11, 16, 20; 2 : 1, 2, 9, 13 ;
4:5: 5:6; 8:2.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 65

the Eevelation (see ch. 8 : 2). Jesus holds the same
dominion over them he does over the angels of the
churches. They are to him as eyes (ch. 5 : 6), as
crowns, and as messengers sent forth to do his pleasure
(Zech. 6:5; ch. 4 : 5), and are answerable to him for
the faithful execution of their commission.

Hast a name that thou livest and art dead. (1 Tim.
5 : 6.) The city of Sardis had considerably declined,
in the time of John, from its ancient greatness. The
splendor of the Lydian kings was eclipsed by the deso-
lations that followed in the footsteps of Cyrus, and the
iron rule of the haughty Roman. But in spite of
civil or warlike changes, the permanency of Oriental
customs had riveted the manners of the people. Effe-
minate and voluptuous, the rigid and self-denying
requirements of the Gospel were iost upon their gay
and elastic minds. Given to pleasure, they were un-
willing to yield to the sedate and steady doctrines of
Christ. They seem to have heard the word and with
joy received it, but having no root in their inconstant
hearts, they endured only for a while, and, in moments
of trial and temptation, fell away. The waters of
baptism had proclaimed them Christians. Their names
were enrolled in the registry of the saints, and they
had a name to live, but the love of the world had sup-
planted the joys of the cross ; the fruits of the word
were choked with the cares of life, and their Christian
influence was dead.

Verse 2. — Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain,
that are' ready to die ; for I have not found thy works perfect be-
fore God.

Be luatchful. Each member, but especially the ofS.-
cers.

That are ready to die. The savory influence of the

J Matt. 24 : 42 ; 25 : 13 ; Mark 13 : 33 ; Luke 12 : 39 ; Eom. 6 : 17 ;
1 Tim. 6 : 20 ; 2 Tim. 1:13; 1 Thes. 5 : 2, 5 ; 2 Pet. 3 : 10 ; 5:8; v. 19 ;
ch. 2:5; 16 : 15.

6Q OUTLLN-ES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

dmrch was lost upon tlie world, and God was not
honored by tlie bulk of tlie members. There were
some who jet held out, but their light was like the
flickerings of the lamp without oil. They needed
strength. A few upright members can have little in-
fluence where the majority are fickle and corrujDt. The
strength of a church is wasted if her ofiicers are indis-
creet. That church, which forbears with the vicious,
through a lax and feeble discipline, retards the pro-
gress of truth, and the world will hold them in con-
tempt.

Verse 3. — Remember therefore how thou hast received and
heard, and hold fast,' and repent. If therefore thou shalt not
watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know
what hour I will come upon thee.

How thou hast received. Little is known of the his-
tory of this church, or who planted it. Jesus refers
them to the fact that they had heard and received the
Gospel in its purity. He counsels them to hold that
fast ; to recur again to first principles and repent.

As a thief. The thief cometh to steal, to kill, and
to destroy. If they pursued their pleasures (1 Tim. 5 :
6), and were unmindful of this reproof, Jesus will come
unexpectedly upon them to take away and to destroy.
The city of Sardis, which had, at the time of John,
considerably declined from its ancient greatness, was
still large and populous, but has since been desolated
with earthquakes and war, but whether any sudden
judgments overwhelmed that church or not, prior to
the desolations of the city, is not recorded.

Verse 4. — Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have
not defiled their^ garments ; and they shall walk with me in white,
for they are worthy.

Have not defiled. There were a few in the gen-
eral remissness and levity of the church, who were an

1 Acts 2 : 41 ; 1 Cor. 2 : 12 ; John 10 : 10; Eev. 2 : 25 ; v. 11.

2 Acts 1 : 15 ; Jude 23 ; ch. 4 : 4 ; 6 : 11 ; 7 : 9, 13 ; 14 : 4.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 67

ornament to their profession. Like specks of silver
in the crude ore, they shone in the midst of the dross
around tiiem. And they should walk with him in
white for they were worthy.

Verse 5. — He that overcoineth, the same shall be' clothed in
white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of
life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his
angels.

Verse 6. — He that hath an ear, let him^ hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches.

White raiment. Eaiment is an emblem of charac-
ter, and its color denotes its moral bearing, while the
verb to clothe or to he clothed is an emblem or simile de-
noting completion, fulness or authority (Job 2:6; Ka.
2:10; Job 39:19; Ps. 93:2; Isa. 63:2; Est. 8 : 15 ;
Eg. 9 : 8). White is the symbol of purity or right-
eousness, and by metonymy is put for joy or happiness.

Booh of life. Book is a record or register. A vol-
ume in which we read or write. A book of life, usu-
ally called " a life," as the lives of Plutarch, the life of
Washington, is a record of one's character or deeds.
The book of life may be construed as a record of the
life of Christ in his connection with the church ; or
as a military register or roll, in which the names of the
commander and privates are recorded, and from which
the names of those are erased who are for any cause
dismissed from service.

Will confess his name hefore my Father and his angels.
This confession or public acknowledgment of the fol-
lowers of Jesus, is to take place after they overcome,
at that day when God shall judge the world in right-
eousness, by that man whom he hath ordained to judge
the quick and the dead, in the presence of his angels,
when the elect shall be gathered from the four winds

1 Ex. 32 : 32 ; Ps. 69 : 29 ; Matt. 10 : 32 ; Luke 12 : 8 ; Phil. 4:3;
eh. 13 : 8 ; 17 : 8 ; 19 : 8 ; 20 : 12 ; 21 : 27.

2 Ch. 2 : 29 : Matt. 14 : 15.

68 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

under heaven and taken up to be for ever with the
Lord.

Reflection. — Sardis remained an organized church
with her officers and forms of worship, when her spir-
itual power was gone. She is not commended for a
single good trait. Neither her love, her faith, her
works, her patience, nor discipline, are noticed. Weak-
ness, inefficiency (v. 2), and defilement (v. 4), were the
stains of her profession. By the carelessness of the
church officers, the good influence of the few names
who remained faithful was ready to be destroyed.
Their fall would involve the officers in their destruc-
tion (Ez. 3:20). The great principle enforced and il-
lustrated here is the same as that in Ez. 3:18; Ez.
83 : 1, 8. It is this : if the officers of a church, who
are set as watchmen and trumpeters, fail to instruct, to
warn and admonish the souls committed to their care,
the souls shall perish, the church shall fall and come
to nothing, but the officers will be made to account for
the loss.

Verse 7. — And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia
write : These things' saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that
hath the keys of David, he that openeth, and no man » shutteth ; and
shutteth, and no man openeth.

Philadelphia. This city was situated about 27 miles
S. E. of Sardis and 72 from Smyrna. Philadelphia
was once a flourishing city, but in its stead, at present,
we find an inconsiderable town called Alasher, of from
1000 to 2000 inhabitants, among whom are a few
nominal Christians. The place has received its share
of fire, plagues, and earthquakes. Philadelphia was
the only city of the seven, which was not conquered
by the Ottoman sword, but she submitted to Turkish
laws and capitulation, after a siege of six years, A. d.

1 Job 12 : 14 ; Isa. 22 : 22; Luke 1 : 32 ; 1 John 5 : 20 ; v, 14; ch. 1 :
11, 18; 5 :^6; 6 : 10; 19 : 11; 22: 16.
* Gr. ouSeij.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 69

1390. So mucli for the city ; but what do we knoAv
of the church? There are obscure (perhaps fabulous)
records of Christianity in that country, during six
or eight centuries after the time of the revelator, but
he who Avill decipher an authentic account of these
churches, will confer a blessing upon the world.

Key of David. David, descended from the ancient
houses of Moab and Judah, obtained the throne of the
twelve tribes of Jacob, on the death of Saul, a. m.
29-i8, B. c. 1056 (2 Sam. 2:4; ch. 6 : 1), and became
the founder of a race of monarchs, who continued to
rule, with various capacity and success, during the
long period of more than a thousand years. David
was a man noted for eminent piety, great abilities, and
glaring faults. His natural talents, of the highest or-
der, were polished by study and experience. Success-
ful in arms abroad, he laid the foundation of an empire
which was the admiration of his times and the glory
of his people. Jesus Christ was the last of the house
of David, who flourished while that kingdom stood.
David held the keys of empire, and left his throne
standing at the head of the nations, the most respected,
popular and powerful of his age ; and, although dis-
turbed by domestic dissensions, it was for more than
three centuries the leading commercial and warlike
government of the world. The key of David was
therefore the sovereignty and glory of empire (Isa. 22 :
22). But David was most conspicuous for the firm
and lasting establishment of the religion of Jehovah,
which was the secret of all his success. So Christ has
a spiritual sovereignty and glory, compared with which
the glory of all the kingdoms of the world is but as a
moment of time compared with the duration of eter-
nity.

Verse 8. — I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee
an open door, and' no man can shut it; for thou hast a little
strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

1 1 Cor. 16 : 9 ; 2 Cor, 2 : 12 ; Col. 4:3; ch. 2 : 2, 9, 13, 19.

70 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC EEVELATION.

I know thy works. This assurance is repeated in
eacb. of the letters to the seven churches. Terrible
must be the reflection to the wicked that the vices
which they conceal from men are all known to Him
who will bring them to judgment ; but the righteous
may rejoice that they are neither forgotten nor over-
looked, among the immensity of the works of God.

Verse 9. — Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Sa-
tan, which say they' are Jews, and are not, but do lie ; behold, I will
make them to come and worship at thy feet, and to know that I
have loved thee.

/ will make them of the synagogue of Satan. Phila-
delphia, like Antioch (Acts 15) and Smyrna, was in-
fested with Judaizing teachers.

/ loill make them to come and worship. Some seem
to have supposed that this denunciation was accom-
plished in the massacre of those large numbers of
Jews, residing in the neighborhood of Philadelphia,
who fell a sacrifice during the turbulence of those
times of temptation and rapine which befell that de-
voted country since this menace was uttered. But I
can see no difference between this sort of worship and
an exterminating war. It is possible the haughty
pride of the Jews was humbled before the desolation
of this church. The history of the Jews has measura-
bly survived the rage of parties and the ravages of
time, but what page of that history points out their
connection with the Philadelphia church ?

Verse 10. — Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I
also will keep'^ thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come
upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

From the hour of temptation. Hour, here, does not
seem to be prophetic time, but an indefinite allusion
to a period of trouble, then future, which was to come

1 Isa. 49 : 23 ; 60 : 14; Zech. 8 : 20; Acts 16 : 37; ch. 2 : 9.

2 Matt. 6 : 13 ; Mark 14 : 9 ; 1 Cor. 11 : 13 ; James 1 : 3 ; 2 Pet. 2 : 9.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHEtlO KmVELATLOIS. <1

upon all the world, during wliicli the church of Phila-
delphia, or its angel, was to be kept. Was this during
the fifth trumpet, and the rule of the seventh head of
the beast (ch. 9 : 2 ; 17 : 10), when the sun and air
were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit ?

Verse 11. — Behold, I come quickly; hold that' fast which thou
hast, that no man take thy crown.

Verse 12. — Him that overcometh, will P make a pillar in the
temple of my God, and he shall go no more out. And I will write
upon him the name of my God, and the name^ of the city of my
God, ivhich is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven
from my God, and / will write upon Mm my new name.

Verse 13. — He that hath an ear, let him^ hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches.

Quickly. Kot immediately, but suddenly.

Name of my God. Like Jacob, whom God surnamed
Israel, and others who adopted part of the name of
Jehovah.

Eeflections. — The letter to Philadelphia, like
that to Smyrna, contains no reproof. The angel is
commended for works of faith and patience, and for
having kept the word and commands of Jesus in a
time of past affliction, for which he promises them
future protection, and an honorable place in the hea-
venly temple, and the freedom of the holy city. The
principle which is here set up, is, that Jesus Christ,
who knows the disposition and behavior of men, will
reward all according to their works. There is to be a
future judgment.

Verse 14. — Unto the angel of the church^ of the Laodiceans
write ; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness,
the beginning of the creation of God.

Laodiceans. The phraseology is changed. In the

1 Philip. 4 : 5 : ch. 1 : 8 ; 2 : 5, 16, 25 ; 22 : 12, 20.

« 1 Kings 7 : 21 ; Gal. 2 : 9 ; 4 : 26 ; Heb. 12 : 2 ; 2 Tim. 2 : 19.

3 Ch. 2 : 7, 11, 17 ; 14 : 1 ; 21 : 2, 10, 14 ; 22 : 4.

4 Matt. 11 : 15 ; Mark 7 : 16 ; 1 Cor. 2 : 10 ; ch. 14 : 13.

5 Col. 1:15; 1 John 5 : 20 ; ch. 1 : 5. 11 : 3 : 7.

72 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Other six letters, the church was named after the city ;
here, after the people, as if the legitimacy of the church
were denied. There were several towns in western
Asia, of the name of Laodicea. But the city where
this church was located, was the metropolis of Phrygia
Pacitiana (1 Tim. 6 : 21). The city was about forty-
two miles from Philadelphia, and the same distance
east of Ephesus. Built on the head-waters of the
river Lycus, it possessed no commercial advantages ;
but its situation, in a rich country, surrounded with a
fertile soil and enterprising people, enticed considera-
ble inland trade, and eventually it became one of the
largest towns of Phrygia. This city suffered much
from earthqu.akes, more from wars. Its present aspect
is that of a magnificent pile of ruins, without a human
resident.

Verse 15. — I know thy works, that thou art neither' cold nor
hot : I would thou wert cold or hot.

Verse 16. — So then, because thou art lukewarm, and'^ neither
cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

I will spue thee. As tepid liquids disgust and nau-
seate the stomach, so faint praise and a dissimulating
love are hateful to Christ. Splendid temples, dedicated
to God, adorned with silver and goodly stones, and hung
with variegated drapery, are made desolate when dese-
crated by heartless service. So the angel of the Lao-
dicean church is threatened to be cast aside as a filthy
vomit, and as unsavory salt, to be trodden under foot
of men, because he was lukewarm, neither cold nor
hot. If it had been an enemy. He could have borne it.
Heathen temples might stand, Jupiter be invoked, and
Yenus praised, and the times of this ignorance winked
at ; but decision of character and solemnity of worship
must characterize the saints of the Most High, or he
will rebuke and chasten them. The exact chastisements

1 Luke 12 : 48 ; 2 Pet. 2 : 21.

2 Jer. 14 : 19 ; Zech. 11 : 8 ; ch. 2 : 5.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 73

intended by the expression in the text, are unknown ;
nor are we better informed as to the when or how
inflicted.

Verse 17. — Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with
g-oods," and have need' of nothing, and knowest not that thou art
wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked :

Verse 18. — I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried'' in the fire,
that thou mayest^ be rich ; and white raiment, that thou may est be
clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and
anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.

Because thou sayest I am rich. We should gather
from this, that the church had become identified with
the secular interests of the city and province, and
shared in the calamities which swallowed them up.
How little does Christ care for the riches, apparel,
pomp, and magnificence of the world ! He has clothed
the grass of the field above the artificial splendors of
human dress. Let the light of truth be our guide, and
let humility, patience, and holy love, commend us ; for
Jesus Christ cannot be bribed, nor the gift of God pur-
chased with money. With him, two mites from the
humble penury of a widow are esteemed above the
abundance of the treasury, because God is not wor-
shipped as though he needed any thing at our hand.

Verse 19. — As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten : be zeal-
ous therefore, and repent.^

Verse 20. — Behold, I stand at the door and knock : If any man
hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will*
sup with him, and he with me.

/ rebuke and chasten. Not from a disposition to
cruelty, nor for the pleasure of chastening, nor out of
wantonness, but from love for our good. Those who

* Or have enriched myself.

1 Hos. 12:8; 1 Cor. 4:8; eh. 19 : 8.
b Purified.

2 Isa. 55 : 1 ; Mat. 13 : 14 ; 25 : 9 ; 2 Cor. 5:3; ch. 7 : 13 ; 16 : 15 ;
19 ' 8

3 Job 5 : 17 ; Prov. 3:12; Heb. 12 : 5, 6 ; Ja. 1 : 12.

4 Song 5:2; Luke 12: 87 ; John 14 : 23.

4

74 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION.

escape cliastening are not cliildren. Let no good man,
in the time of trials — no Christian, in the day of adver-
sity— say, the Lord is my enemy, and all these things
are against me.

/ stand and hioch. No one is converted by other
than scriptural means ; they have " Moses and the
Prophets : " by them Jesus knocks. If men will not
hear them, they are lost. The whole object of preach-
ing is to keep the truths of the Bible vividly before
the world. The great end which Moses had in view,
was to bring men to Christ. For this purpose the law
was promulgated, and became a schoolmaster. To this
effect all the prophets have spoken ; and to this day,
Christ Jesus is the only name that brings salvation.
Where then is the benefit of fictitious tracts, on dits,
anecdotes, and the spurious j)rogeny of romances, lives,
religious novels, and the endless number of human
inventions, machinery, and appliances of the present
day ? If any man hears the voice of Christ, his word,
his truth, he shall sit down and sup with the Lamb !
Well, then, why will not the Bible alone do without
the ministry ? God foresaw, and experience demon-
strates, that men will not long regard their consciences
without the Bible, nor the Bible without the living
preacher. His duty is to keep before the minds of
men the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of pro-
phecy. In the mouth of two witnesses, the Bible and
the preacher, the word is established.

Verse 21. — To him that overcometh will I grant' to sit with me
in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am sit down with my Fa-
ther in his throne.

Verse 22. — He that hath an ear, let him'^ hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches.

Sit with me. Shall be honored as I am. We shall
be like him when we see him as he is.

1 Mat. 19 : 28 ; Luke 22 : 30 ; 1 Cor. 6:12; 2 Tim. 2 : 12 ; ch. 6:6;
6 : 26, 27.

2 Ch. 2 : 7 ; 11 : 17, 29 ; 3 : 6, 13.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION. 75

At the close of these interesting letters, let ns
remark the great variety of promises to those who
overcome, all suited to the apparent disposition of the
members, or the character and state of the particular
churches to whom they are addressed. Seven times
he declares to the angels of the churches that he knows
their works, and seven times has he solemnly repeated,
" He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches," showing that what was spoken
was not to the angel alone, but also to "the churches."
And let us remember that this solemn and oft-repeated
command is addressed to those who were not members
of the churches.

Note. — To the foregoing remarks I append the
following extract from the works of Gibbon : Decline
and Fall of the Roman Empire^ ch. 64. Gibbon, usually
critical and exact, but here misled by the glare and
finesse of national establishments, has fallen into the
mistake of most writers before his time, and con-
founded the civil and political histories of these cities
with the history of the churches ; and, what is more
remarkable, the most popular and approved Biblical
writers since his day, while they have jeered at the
skepticism of the "elegant and sneering Gibbon,"
have adoj)ted his mistakes and followed in the paths
he had assigned them.

" The maritime country, from the Propontis to the
Meander and the Isle of Ehodes, so long threatened
and so often pillaged, was finally lost [to the Eastern
Roman Empire] about the thirteenth year of Andro-
nicus the elder [a. d. 1295 to 1300]. "^ Two Turkish
chieftains, Sarukan and Aidin, left their names to their
conquests, and their conquests to their posterity. The
captivity or ruin of the seven churches of Asia was
consummated, and the barbarous lords of Ionia and
Lydia still trample on the monuments of classic and
Christian antiquity. In the loss of Ephesus, the Chris-
tian deplored the fall of the first angel, the extinction

76 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

of the first candlestick of the Kevelation ; the desola-
tion is complete, and the temple of Diana, or the
church of Mary, will equally elude the search of the
curious traveller. The circus and the three stately
theatres of Laodicea are now peopled with wolves and
foxes. Sardis is reduced to a miserable village. The
God of Mahomet, without a rival or a son, is invoked
in the mosques of Thyatira and Pergamos, and the
populousness of Smyrna is supported by the foreign
trade of the Franks and Armenians. Philadelphia
alone has been saved by 23rophecy or courage. At a
distance from the sea, forgotten by the emperors, en-
compassed on all sides by the Turks, her valiant citi-
zens defended their religion and freedom above four-
score years, and at length capitulated with the proudest
of the Ottomans. Among the Greek colonies and
churches of Asia, Philadelphia is still erect — a column
in a scene of ruins ; a pleasing example that the paths
of honor and safety may sometimes be the same."

Reflections.' — Like the church of Sardis, the Lao-
diceans are rebuked for their departure from the sim-
plicity and constancy of the Gospel. Riches, grandeur,
and display, like much of the pageantry of the present
age, made up the sum of their religion. Of what avail
are edifices, reports, resolutions and prayers, with love
of ease, wealth, and praise ? It is to this day easier for
a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for
rich men to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Can
we gain the world to Christ by concession ? The
church of Laodicea tried it. Pergamos tried it. If we
repeat the trial, will not the shame of our nakedness
appear ? Just so far as the Christian conforms to the
world, just so far the world will go with him. But
attempt to lead him, by such enchantments, over the
cross of Christ, and he will stumble at that stumbling-
stone. No man can can be led blindfolded to Christ,
and he is blind who attempts it. Men are not con-
verted by other than Scriptural means. They have

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

77

" Moses and the prophets " : if they will not hear them
they are lost. Softening down or conceahng unpala-
table truths, will never convert a soul.

If any are curious to compare the signification of
the names of the seven churches, with their histo-
ries, the following list may aid them in doing it,
and whether these definitions are symbolical of the
seven eras of the chm'ch, as some have supposed
(ch. 2 : 1).

SIGNIFICATIONS.

Ephesus. Desire, or desirable.

Proposed symboli-
cal era : Declension
succeeding the apos-
tolic times.

Commended for good works
and a strict discipline. Repro-
ved for decline of spirituality
and love.

History of the church mostly
lost. The city now desolate.

Smyrna. Myrrh.

Proposed symboli-
cal era : During the
fabulous period of the
" ten persecutions."

Pergamos. Height, elevation.

Proposed symboli-
cal era : During the
corrupt age of Con-
stantine and his suc-
cessors.

Commended for the virtues
and graces of religion. The
city is still populous and enjoys
commercial advantages, but the
spirit and grace of the church
long since went into captivity.

Commended for holding the
faith in its purity, but reproved
for laxity of discipline and other
spiritual delinquencies.

The city has declined much
from its ancient splendor, and
is the residence of a few nomi-
nal Christians.

Thyatira, Perfume, sacrifice of

contrition or sacri-
fice of labor.
Proposed symboli-
cal era : During the
darkest and most su-
perstitious times of
the Papacy and the
crusaders, prior to the
Lutheran schism.

This church is commended
for her love, faith, and^eervice,
but reproved for laxit>'*of disci-
pline. The church is fallen, and
a small village survives the ra-
vages of men and the elements
of nature.

78

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC KEVELATION.

Sardis.

Philadelphia.

Laodicea.

SIGNIFICATIONS.

Prince of joy.

Proposed symboli-
cal era : From the Re-
formation to the Mil-
lennium, embracing
the present age.

Love of the fraternity,
brotherly love.
Proposed symboli-
cal era : During the
Millennium, and yet
future.

Just people.

Proposed symboli-
cal era : Between the
epoch of the Millenni-
um and the end of the
world.

Reproved for having failed in
every thing intended by the or-
ganization of the church. City
and church both desolate.

Commended for endurance
and faithfulness. The city is
reduced to a small town of be-
tween one thousand and two
thousand inhabitants, but the
church is no more.

Reproved for lukewarmness
and spiritual blindness and ig-
norance. The church has long
since vanished away, and the
city is also a pile of ruins.

The first vision has now passed in review before
us. How long the interval, from the time John
received this, before the next was given to him, is
unknown. The visions of Daniel, although he had
two or three on one subject, were at long intervals of
from ^ye to fifteen years. When the foregoing repre-
sentations were made to John, he was in Patmos, and
it was on a Lord's day, but he does not even inform
us whether the following Revelation and prophecies
were given to him during his residence upon that
island ; and much less, I apprehend, are we to suppose
they were the work of a single day.'^

* ." There seems to have been a short interruption of his visions."
« T. Scott, m loco.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 79

CHAPTEK IV.

1. Second Vision in Heaven. — 2. The Throne of God. — 4. Four

AND TWENTY ElDERS. — 6. ThE FOUR SeRAPHIM AND THEIR

Form of Worship.

Tlie second vision is delineated in the next four
chapters, including the first verse of the eighth
chapter. I apprehend it is an outline of pohtical
events, marking seven of those attended with the
most important consequences to the religion of Jeho-
vah on earth, from the exodus of the Hebrews, or
probably from the calhng of Abraham, to the over-
throw of the Jewish polity.

Those events, which had preceded the days of John,
and which are before predicted or recorded in Scrip-
ture, are alluded to without sjDecifying the date of their
continuance, because that was already known or could
be easily ascertained by a reference to chronology.
Events which were to transpire subsequently to his
day, are further illustrated in succeeding visions, with
occasional reference to their connection with the past.
The times of the duration of those things, whose ac-
comphshment was future, and consequently clearly the
subjects of prophecy, are particularly noted in the
course of the Kevelation. The propriety of this ar-
rangement is very apparent. It distinguishes future
events from past ones, and this more clearly points out
those incidents which had not then transpired. It is
by confounding these symbols and images, the past
with the future, and the present with both, that writers
have trammelled themselves with absurdities and inex-
phcable perplexities, which have obscured the light
and diverted the blessings that were promised to him
" that readeth, and to them that hear the words of this

80 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

propTiecy, and keep tliose things whicli are written
therein (ch. 1 : 3).

The fourth and fifth chapters contain a preface or
preparation to what follows in the sixth and seventh.

- Verse 1. — After this I looked,^ and behold, a' door was opened
in heaven : and the tirst voice which I heard, was as it were of a
trumpet talking with me, which said, Come up hither, and I will
show thee things which must be hereafter.

After this. After John had seen the first vision,
which opened near by him (ch. 1 : 12), he looked, and
behold, a door was opening in heaven. He was look-
ing towards the skies when the door opened, and soon
after he heard some one speaking, as through a trum-
pet, and addressing him, said, " Come up hither."
This was after the first vision, but how long after ?
Where was John at the time ?

A door was opened. After this door of heaven was
opened, the temple of God was opened in heaven (ch.
11 : 9). After this (ch. 15 : 5) the temple of the taber-
nacle of the testimony was opened in heaven, and
after this again (ch. 19 : 11) heaven itself was opened.

Gome up hither. The scene of the first vision is
laid in Patmos ; this, in heaven.

And I will show thee things which shall he hereafter.
John says (ch. 1 : 1) that these things were signified
to him by an angel sent by Jesus Christ with that de-
sign. That the world might the better see the provi-
dence of God in the things which must be hereafter,
the angel prefaces them with a revelation of things
which had been before. These things — I mean the
things which had been before — the angel could not
properly say he " showed " unto John, because they
were the things which he " had seen, and the things
which were " then passing ; for these things had been

«■ After these things I saw, &c.

1 Ch. 1 : 10, 19 ; 22 : 6 ; Ex. 1 : 1 ; Mat. 3 : 16 ; Luke 3 : 21 ; John 16 :
13; Acts 7: 56.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 81

showed to Jolin by others, and consequently the angel
speaks only of " showing " him those things which
were future. To show those future things, was the
leading object of the revelation. They were of the
greatest importance to after ages, although a reference
to the past could not be useless. No one will pretend
seriously to beheve that because the angel promises to
show things which must be hereafter, that he was
therefore debarred from speaking of things which had
been before. If he were prevented by the promise,
why does he violate the obligation ? In ch. 13 : 1, the
angel presents an image, rising from the sea with seven
heads. In ch. 17 : 10, he informs John that these heads
are seven kingdoms, five of which were fallen ; one is,
and the other is not yet come. In both of these cases,
therefore, the angel did speak of things both past and
present. Now, either those who hold that the whole
revelation is a progressive prophecy, from beginning
to end, or from this chapter to the end, are mistaken
in supposing the angel was prohibited by the promise,
or the angel has violated his obligations. JSTor are they
in the least reheved from the dilemma, by saying that
the prohibition extended only to the thirteenth chap-
ter, for it is manifest that either the angel was not pro-
hibited at all, or the prohibition extended to the end
of the book. Nor are these the only places where
allusions are made to past transactions. In ch. 1 : 18,
reference is made to the death and resurrection of Jesus
Christ, '' saying I am he that liveth and was dead, and
behold, I am alive for evermore." In ch. 12 : 1-5, there
is a plain reference to the birth of Christ and his cruci-
fixion, but these things were evidently past when the
Revelation was given. In the letter to the angel of
the church of Philadelphia (ch. 8 : 7), an allusion is
made to the empire and throne of David, a portion of
history which had existed a thousand years prior to
the date of the Revelation. So then, we see that parts
of the Revelation are taken up by special and direct
4^

82 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

reference to past transactions, as well as by collateral
and incidental hints of such things. Nay, more, entire
figures and emblems are employed to represent them.
It was not therefore the intention of the angel, or the
trumpet-voice from the door of heaven, to represent
the Eevelation as a continuous and progressive pro-
phecy of future things. If so, why command John
(ch. 1:19) to write the things he had seen ? or why
employ symbols to represent the past ? (see chs. 6, 7,
8, 12, 13, and 17). The angel nor the trumpet-voice,
neither of them, intended to say or to be understood
that all the emblems and symbols of the Revelation
should refer exclusively to future transactions. The
intention seems to be as if the angel had said. Come
up here and I will show you future things. They
will not be shown by me to any other man, you must
therefore show them to the churches. In reference to
any allusions which may be made to things which
have already transpired, it is not intended to throw
any farther light or reveal them any more clearly
than they are now known. They are already before
the world, and you know them as well as I. My only
object in pointing to the past is that I may more dis-
tinctly reveal the boundaries of the future, and that I
may the more clearly and definitely show you the
things which shall be hereafter, and that you may see
their connection with the past.

Verse 2. — And immediately I was in the Spirit :' and behold, a
throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

In the Spirit. John was in the spirit, or in a
proper state to receive visions when the first was un-
folded to him (ch. 1 : 10). He had now entirely passed
out of that state, and was not in it, when he saw the
door open, nor when he heard the call, " Come up

1 Ex. 24 : 9 ; Isa. 6:1; Eze. 1 : 26 : 10 : 1 ; Dan. 7:9; ch. 1 : 10 ;
17 : 8 ; 21 : 10.

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION. 83

hither." So John the Baptist saw the heavens open
and the Spirit descend, when Jesus came up from his
baptism, without being himself in a trance (compare
Matt. 3 : 16, &c. with John 1 : 32). So, neither Ste-
phen before the council (Acts 8 : 56), nor Cornelius at
prayer (Acts 10 : 3), nor the disciples at the sepulchre
of Jesus (Matt. 28, and 1 Cor. 15), nor while visiting
with him forty days together (Acts 1:3), seem any of
them to have been in a trance, or in the spirit, as John
was directly after this ; for when he had heard the
voice like a trumpet, he immediately after was in the
spirit, and saw forms and images within the door
which was opened.

The emblems of verses 1 and 2 are :

Door. The emblem of hope (John 10 : 9 ; Acts 14 :
27), prosperity or success (Hos. 2 : 15) ; 1 Cor. 16:9;
Col. 4 : 3, &c.

Heaven. The term heaven is used in several senses :

1. That space around the earth filled with air,
which is reckoned to be included in a diameter of
about forty miles in all directions from the earth's sur-
face. This is called the aerial heaven.

2. That space between the atmosphere of the earth
and the apparent boundaries formed by the sun, moon,
and stars, supposed to be filled Avith a subtile, thin,
translucent and unresisting medium called ether. This
space is called the ethereal heavens.

3. Any portion of the expanse which surrounds
the earth, and which appears like an immense arch or
vault, called the firmament.

4. That part of space where Jehovah is supposed
to afibrd more sensible manifestations of his glory.

5. The place where the power o^ Jehovah is ac-
knowledged and his authority respected and obeyed.

6. The term is used as any emblem or figure of the
church. It is sometimes used for God and his au-
thority.

Voice. Proclamation or discussion.

84 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Trumpet is tlie symbol of conflict and alarm, eh. 8,
and is an attendant of all religions.

Throne is the emblem of honor, authority, judg-
ment, ch. 2 : 13, and ch. 22.

Verse 3. — And he that sat was to look upon' like a jasper
and a sardine stone, and there was a rainbow round about the
throne in sight like unto an emerald.

Like a jasper. We have lost the knowledge of an-
cient geology, and are therefore unable to decide with
certainty of the various specimens intended by the
names given them in Scripture. The jasper is de-
scribed as a pellucid, watery gem, crystal-like, reflect-
ing a variety of vivid colors. See ch. 21 : 18.

Sardine stone is somewhat similar in description,
but reflecting a fiery glow, changeable from bright
yellow to red.

Rainbow is the token of agreement or peace. The
bow of the archer a symbol of war or victory, &c.,
(ch. 6 : 2). The rainbow might have been in a circle
above the throne, in shape like the • halos we some-
times see around the sun and moon, or it might have
been a segment of a circle with the run die or periphery
turned from the throne so as to form a concave above
it. The emerald is a precious stone of a pleasant green
color.

Verse 4. — And round about the throne were four and twenty
seats,* and upon the^ seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting,
clothed in white raiment ; and they had on their heads crowns of
gold.

Elders sitting. The elders seem to have sat, not in
a circle round the throne, but occupying three sides of
a square, eigh* upon a side, in fi^ont, and upon the
right and left, with their faces inward towards the
throne.

1 Ch. 1 : 6 ; 2 : 26 ; 3 : 4 ; 6 : 11 ; 7 : 9-13 ; 19 : 14 ; 22 : 5.
^ Four-and-twenty thrones.

2 Num. 11 : 16 ; ch. 3 : 4, 5 ; 4 : 2 ; Dan. 7 : 7, 9, 13, 22.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 85

Four and ticenty seats. Gr. Kal kvk\6'^6v tov ^p6-
vov ^povoL e'Uoai Kal reaaape^. Literally : and in the
circuit of the thi'one were twenty-four thrones. This
would seem to indicate that the front of the throne
was fluted, or of a circular concave, in which twenty-
four lesser thrones were placed, upon which the elders
were sitting ; or else, that they entirely surrounded
the throne.

Crowiis of rjold. AVhere the word •' crown'' is used
alone, it symbolizes a monarchical government. But
where the material of which it is made is mentioned,
its meaning is varied with the nature of the material
(ch. 12:1).

1st. K the crown is composed of the leaves or
branches of briers, nettles, or thorns of any sort, it de-
notes ridicule, reproach, or shame.

2d. A wreath of roses, myrtle, laurel, or oak, de-
notes temporary respect, not permanent honor.

-3d. If the -wrealh, or crown, is of gold, it denotes
honor, or official station, of a more permanent sort.
Wliere the crown is studded with jewels, or precious
gems, the respect or sovereignty is of the higher or
more lasting order. In America, where crowns of the
third sort are never used, the bestowment of medals,
set with diamonds or pearls, or inwrought with signi-
ficant de\"ices, or the vote of a sword, is substituted in
their place.

Emblems of the Text. — Throne. See v. 2.

White, raiment. See ch. 8 : b-Q ; ch. 19.

Crovm. See above.

Verse 5. — And out of the throne proceeded* ' lightnings, and
thunderings, and voices. And there were seven lamps of fire burn-
ing before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.

Proceeded lightnings^ &c. This conception of the

a Go forth lightnings.

1 Eze. 1 : 24 ; ch. 1 : 4 : 3:1; 5:6; 8:2: 5 : 10, 3 ; 11 : 19 ; 14 : 2 ;
16: IS: 19: 6.

86 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

throne and its attendants appears to me tlie most splen-
did that can be imagined. The display of artillery,
and the voices of command and battle, seem to have
come from the four beasts. (See vs. 6-9.)

Seven lamps of fire burning. These twinkling, glim-
mering, flashing lamps of fire are to be distinguished
from the lampstands or candlesticks, and the stars, of
the first vision. The lamps, or burning flames, are the
seven spirits of God (ch. 8:2). The lampstands and
the stars are the churches and their officers (ch. 1 : 20).
The number "seven" occurs in the Revelation more
frequentl}^ than any other, but I cannot see the mys-
tery or perfection in it that some have imagined.

Emblems of the Text. — Thunder is the symbol
of revolutions, invasions, and the calamities of war.

Lightning, the symbol of edicts and proclamations
of a belligerent and angry nature.

Fire, the emblem of activity, and of the passions
or spirit, either of love, or of wrath, pestilence, and
plagues, as famine, &c., Ezek. 5 : 2.

Verse 6. — And before the throne there was a sea of glass like
unto crystal. And in the midst of the throne/ and round about
the throne, were four beasts,* full of eyes before and behind.

jSea. In the open area before the throne was a
"sea," not of water, but resembling the smooth sur-
face of polished glass, and perfectly transparent —
"wide and deep, pure and clear, transparent and
still," — Wesley in Berzelius. Sea is the emblem of mul-
titudes, or nations (ch. 17 : 15). Here it is the emblem
of a people at rest.

Crystal. A hard, transparent, colorless fossil, or
kind of stone, but which gives no spark when struck
with steel. It is composed of plates, which break into
regular angular forms (ch. 22 : 1).

1 Ex. 88 : 8 ; 1 Kings 7 : 23 ; Eze. 1 : 5, 18, 22 ; ch. 15 : 2.

^ Gr. TeWapa ^aja, living creatures, or animals ; i. e. rational, moral.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 87

Four leasts. The word translated leasts^ is in Gr.
fwa, from fwoi/, a living or animated thing, or animal,
and might be rendered living creatures. They were
an appendage, or support of the throne, and were sup-
ported by it. In Zech. 6: 5, "four spirits are men-
tioned, but in the Polyglot margin the word is trans-
lated "winds." They are said to be the four spirits
which go forth from standing before the Lord of all
the earth (compare Zech. 6 : 1-8, with Eev. 6 : 1-8 ;
7 : 1). Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1 and 10), four creatures
whose description, in some respects, answers to these,
only those which he saw had each "four wings."
The creatures he called "cherubs." But these in the
Eevelation have "six wings" (v. 8).

Isaiah saw some having "six wings" (Is. 6: 2),
which he called "seraphim." And so far as his de-
scription goes, it is answerable to these in this verse.
The apostle John informs us (John 12 : 41), that he
who sat upon that throne at the time of Isaiah's vision,
was Jesus Christ, whose glory Isaiah saw.

Full of eyes. This constellation of eyes which sur-
rounded these seraphim, reminds us of the seven eyes
of the Lamb, which are the seven spirits of God (ch.
5 : 6). And if we might venture a conjecture on that
which is not expressly revealed, we might suppose
them an attendant legion of angels but partially un-
veiled in this vision (Ezek. 1 : 13).

Emblems of the Text. — Sea is the emblem of a
multitude. A calm and placid sea is a quiet people,
reposing in peace.

Eyes are servants, and are the symbols of watch-
fulness, knowledge, or desire.

Verse 7. — And the first beast was like a' lion, and the second
beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, an<^
the fourth beast was like a fiying eagle.

Like a lion. It seems that this is only descriptive

' Eze. 1 : 10 ; Dan. 7:4; cli. 6:1,3, 5, 7.

88 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC EEVELATION.

of the faces, not of the bodies of the seraphim. The
cherubs which Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1), had each of
them four faces, and the faces of each cherub resem-
bled these. Isaiah has not described the faces of the
seraphim he saw (Is. 6). See also Dan. 7 : 4.

Emblems of the Text. — The lion is a majestic,
magnanimous, bold, and furious beast — the symbol of
majesty, sovereignty, and strength.

The calfi^ the emblem of patience and riches.

The face of man is the symbol of dignity, super-
vision, or revelation.

Eagle is the symbol of sovereignty, rapacity, and
swiftness, perhaps of vigilance.

Verse 8. — And the four beasts had each of them six wings
about him, and they ivere full of eyes within;^ and they rest not
day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy. Lord God Almighty,*
which was, and is, and is to come>

Six wings. The seraphim of Isaiah (Is. 6), had each
six wings, and his description, so far as it goes, answers
precisely to that of these living creatures. The sera-
phim of Isaiah each covered his face with two wings,
and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he
did fly, but John does not tell the use or position of
the wings of his t,(aov (v. 6).

Full of eyes. The rendering in the common ver-
sion, is, " six wings about him, and they were full of
eyes within," indicating that the wings were full of
eyes ; but the description appears to be only a varia-
tion of that in verse 6, and might be translated " round
about and within they are full of eyes," referring to
the beasts.

And they rest not. Their worship, although at
times suspended from other causes (ch. 5 : 8, 14), is not
interrupted on account of day or night.

Holy Lord God^ &c. As if they had said, "Holy

1 Isa. 6 : 2, 3 ; ch. 1 : 4, 8 ; 11 : 17 ; 16 : 5.
* The Lord God, the Almighty. b And who cometh.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 89

Lord, holy God, holy Almighty." The literal render-
ing of the passage is "Holy, holy, holy Lord, the God,
the Almighty, who was, and who is, and who cometh."
This is varied from the language in Isaiah (ch. 6),
where it reads, "One cried unto another, and said,
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts ; the whole earth
is full of his glory."

Emblems of the Text. — Wings are the emblems
of protection, speed, and impetuosity.

Uyes. See v. 6.

Verse 9. — And when those beasts give glory,' and honor, and
thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

Verse 10. — The four and twenty elders fall^ down before him
that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and
ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying —

Elders fall down. As often as the seraphim repeat
the worship of v. 8, and as soon as they have finished,
the elders leave their seats, and, having bowed them-
selves before the throne, raise their golden crowns
from off their heads, place them upon the area of the
crystal sea before them, in front of the throne, and
attesting the propriety of that worship, follow in simi-
lar devotions.

Emblems of the Text. For throne^ croivn^ &c.,
see verses 3, 4.

Verse 11. — Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and
honor and power ; for^ thou hast created all things, and for thy
pleasure* they are and were created.

Hast created all things. These living creatures and
elders were created by God, and answer the end of
their creation by pleasing him with holy devotions.

Keview. — From the emblems we gather that,

1 Ch. 5:12; 7 : 12 ; 11:13; Ex. 15:18; Ps. 48 : 14 ; Heb. 7 : 8.

2 Ch. 5: 5, 6, 11; 7 : 11, 13 ; 14 : 3 ; Job 1 : 20; Ps. 72: 11; Mat. 2:
11 ; Luke 24 : 52.

3 Gen. 1 : 1 ; Ps. 104 : 30 ; Isa. 45 : 8 ; Eph. 3:9; ch. 10 : 6.
^ And through thy will they were and are created.

90 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

when the ''multitudes" in heaven and earth, or be-
fore the throne of God, were quietly pursuing their
own desires, a door of hope was open, by which the
power of the Most High was set up on earth, through
the strength, patience, wisdom, and celerity of the
Mighty ones, which caused revolutions, discussions,
and war, attended by the public confession of the name
and authority of the Most High in heaven and among
the kingdoms of the earth.

CHAPTER V.

1. The Book with seven Seals. — 6. The Appearance of the
Lamb. — 8. The Beasts and Elders worship the Lamb. —
12 — 14. TriE Hosts of Heaven and Earth worship the
Lamb conjointly with their worship of Him that liveth
for ever and ever.

Verse L — And I saw in the right hand of' him that sat on the
throne, a book written within and on the back side,* sealed with
seven seals.

A hooJc. John, having in a brief and luminous
manner described the attendants, turned his eyes again
to him who sat upon the throne (ch. 4 : 8), and saw in
his "right hand" a book — a written manuscript
of seven rolls, or leaves, each of them sealed and
folded so as to form one book. Books are opened at
the day of judgment (ch. 20 : 12).

Emblems of the Text. — Bight hand is the emblem
of power or strength, and favor or fellowship.

Throne. See ch. 4 : 2.

1 Ex. 32 : 82 ; Ps. 40 : 7 ; 56 . 8 ; Isa. 29 : 12 ; 34 : 16 ; ch. 1 : 16 ; 2:1;
13: 16.

a Written within and without.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 91

Book. Books are the repositories of knowledge (cli.
10 : 11), and are the symbols of the ordinances of Grod,
or of legislatures, the record of Divine providences,
and the histories of the affairs of men.

Seals. As trumpets (ch. 4 : 2) are emblems of reli-
gions, so seals are insignia of legislative and judi-
cial authority, and are emblematic of civil and political
powers. They also denote security or choice (Mat.
27 : QQ ; Eph. 1 : 13 ; 4 : 30).

Verse 2. — And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud
voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals
thereof?^

Strong angel. One in great power and dignity.

Who is ivorthy f The question is not, what man is
worthy, but who ? who in heaven, or elsewhere ?

Unquestionably, none but those in the highest au-
thority have a right to use the seals of office, or frame
laws. None, therefore, but one who is worthy, or
properly qualified, could make and proclaim the laws
of Heaven — the decrees of Providence.

Verse 3. — And no man in heaven, nor in earth, '^ neither under
the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

Ko man in heaven. The word " man " is not in the
original. None was able. A strong angel with a loud
voice (so that all should hear and understand) made
the challenge, but he found none that was either wor-
thy or able to look on the book, so as to know its con-
tents, much less to open the seals and "read," or pro-
mulgate the decrees.

Verse 4. — And I wept much, because no man was found wor-
thy to open, and to^ read the book, neither to look thereon.

Verse 5. — And one of the elders said unto me,* Weep not ;

1 Ps. 103 : 20 ; Isa. 29 : 11.

2 Isa. 40 : 13 ; Eom. 11 : 34 ; Philip. 2 : 10 ; ch. 5 : 13.

3 Gen. 43 : 3 ; Ex. 2 : 6 ; 2 Kings 8 : 11 ; Luke 19 : 41 ; John 11 : 35.

4 Gen. 49 : 9, 10 ; Isa. 11 : 9, 10 ; Eom. 15 : 12 ; Heb. 7 : 14 ; ch. 40 :
10; 22: 16.

92 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath
prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

No man was found worthy. The word " man " here
also is not in the original. None was found either
among men, or among the higher or lower orders of
creatures ; neither among the holy nor unholy ; none
had been found, in former ages, to proclaim that which
was within the book ; none now, to proclaim that
which was future. From the fact that the book was
held in the right hand of him that sat on the throne —
the circumstance of the proclamation being made to
the universe, on, above, and below the earth, and to
all grades of creatures — and the report of that procla-
mation, that none was found "worthy" or was pos-
sessed of sufficient power and dignity to open it — John
judged that its contents were not only highly impor-
tant, but eminently necessary to be known. And he
wept because none was worthy to disclose them.

One of the elders addressed him, saying, " Weep
not ; " the Lion of the tribe of Juda hath prevailed.
He has both the authority and strength to open the
book, and is worthy to do it.

Root of David. David was a man of great power
and valor, but he was only a branch that grew out of
this " root " (Mark 12 : 87 ; ch. 3 : 7 ; 6:2; 22 : 16).

Emblems of the Text. — Booh^ Lion^ &c., see ch.
4:7; 5:1,

Verse 6. — And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and
of the four beasts,* and' in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as
it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the
seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

In the midst. John looked to see the book opened,
but instead of this a new appearance presented itself
upon the throne. The similitude of a Lamb stood in

^ Living creatures.

1 Isa. 53 : 7 ; Zech. 3:9; 4 : 10 ; John 1 : 29, 36 ; Acts 8: 32 ; 1 Pet.
1:19; ch. 1 : 4, 7 ; 3:1; 4:5; 5:12; 7 : 14 ; 8:2; 12:11; 18 : 8.

OUTLIXES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 93

the midst of the throne, the four seraphs forming
around next to him, and the elders also standing up
before him. At first, John imagined it a part of the
throne, like the lions of Solomon's (2 Chr. 9 : 19) ; or
it had the appearance of being dead ; but a moment's
consideration unfolded seven horns and seven eyes,
and he saw the Lamb Avas alive. The seven spirits of
God, which are sent into all parts of the earth, are the
eyes [and horns ?] of the Lamb.

Note. — The Revelation embraces all the inhabit-
ants of " the earth" (verse 6).

Emblems of the Text. — Throne. See ch. 4 : 2.

Lamb is the emblem of meekness.

Horns are the symbols of power, or glory, might
and strength, and are emblematical of kings, or king-
doms, and armies.

Eye. See ch. 4:6.

Verse 7. — And he came and took the book' out of the right
hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Verse 8. — And when he had taken the book, the four beasts,
and four and twenty elders fell down before'^ the Lamb, having
every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors,* which are
the prayers of saints.

He came and took the hook. The Lamb left his place
on the throne, and came before him that held the book,
and took it from his right hand. The four beasts and
the elders, or presbyters^ in the mean time remain
standing.

Fall down. All the living creatures, who were
seen at first around and on the throne (ch. 4 : 6) of
God, and the elders, who were seen sitting on separate
seats with golden crowns upon their heads (ch. 4 : 4),
fall down before or around the Lamb, who stands upon
the open space, upon the sea of glass, within the square
or circle formed by the throne, the beasts, and elders.

1 Ch. 4 : 2 ; 5 : 1. ^ pj,. 141 : 2 ; ch. 4 : 8, 10 ; 8 : 3, 4 ; 14 : 2.

* Or incense.

94 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

The Lamb is thus surrounded by them, and they are
nearest to him.

Having harps^ for instrumental music, a circum-
stance not observed till now, and golden vials^ golden
bowls, cups, or censers, like those in ch. 16, containing
the plagues ; but these were filled with odors, which
are the praj^ers of the saints.

Emblems of the Text. — Book^ hand, throne. See
ch. 4.

Elders. The word in Gr. is Trpecr^vrepoi, and signi-
fies teachers, or presbyters — bishops or overseers — the
aged.

Harjos are instruments of music, and indicate joy,
satisfaction, and mirthfulness.

Vials, bowls, or censers, used for libations, or offer-
ings, are the emblems of mental emotions, according
to their odors, incense, wine, &c., and symbolically
represent the acts as religious (see ch. 8 : 5).

Verse 9. — And they sung a new song, sa^'ing,^ Thou art worthy
to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain,
and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred,*
and tongue, and people, and nation.

Verse 10. — And hast made us unto our God kings and priests;
and we*" shall reign*^ on the earth.

Thou art worthy, for thou wast slain. The Lamb
prevailed and triumphed by his vicarious death, and
through his death became worthy to redeem his saints,
and promulgate the laws of heaven and earth.

Hast redeemed. These six-winged seraphim, with
all the clusters of their attendant angelic eyes — these
four and twenty elders, with their golden crowns,
harps, and odors, fall prostrate before the Lamb, and

1 Acts 20 : 28 ; Eom. 3 : 24 ; 1 Cor. 1 : 30 ; 6 : 20 ; 7 : 23 ; Eph. 1:7;
Col. 1 : 14 ; Heb. 9 : 12 ; 10 : 10 ; 1 Pet. 1 : 18, 19 ; 2 Pet. 2 : 1 ; 1 John
1:7; cb. 4: 11; 14: 3.

^ Tribe.

b Or, thev shall reign over the earth.

2 Ex. 19 :* 6 ; 1 Pet. 2:5; eh. 1:6; 2:6; 22 : 5.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 95

say, he has redeemed them from every kindred and
tongue and people and nation, and has made them
unto God kings and priests. The same language is
used by John to the seven churches (ch. 1 : 5, 6).
These four living creatures, and four and twenty pres-
byters, are therefore the symbols or representatives of
the redeemed, who are gathered from all parts of the
earth. Two inquiries here present themselves :

1st. What times or what manner of times are here
represented ?

2d. In what manner do those who sung the new
song shadow forth the redeemed ?

With reference to the first question, we may con-
jecture that the four beasts, full of eyes, represent the
four great epochs of the world, marked in ecclesiasti-
cal time. 1st, from Adam to Moses. 2d, from Moses
to Christ. 3d, from Christ to the Millennium. 4:th,
from the Millennium to the end of the world.

In the first great epoch, from Adam to Moses — a
period of about 2500 years — the religion of the world
was nearly the same, viz., preaching and sacrifices,
without any distinct church organization (only as
races, or tribes, separated in whole bodies from the
rest of the world) ; and to the time of Noah, without
idolatry ; because men who lived a thousand years,
were never foolish enough to worship idols.

During the second epoch, from Moses to Christ — a
period of 1400 years — the history of the world pre-
sents us with two religions : the first, among the de-
scendants of Israel — a national theocracy, with laws
and sacrifices ; the second, idolatry, embraced by
the rest of the world — also a religion of laws and
sacrifices.

During the third epoch, from Christ to the Millenni-
um— a period probably of about 2100 years — the
religion of the world has thus far been presented
under three aspects : 1st. Distinct voluntary republics,
or churches without sacrifices, worshipping an invisi-

96 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

ble Triune Spirit. 2d. National aristocratic establish-
ments of involuntary worshippers, who adore from
one to numberless gods, either with or without sacri-
fices. 3d. Idolatry, a despotism with sacrifices, al-
though all religions have been more sparing of sacri-
fices since the Christian era than before.

During the fourth epoch, from the Millennium to
the end of the world — a period of more than a thou-
sand years, which is yet future — it is not known in
what aspect the religion of the world will be presented
to the mind of the historian.

2d. In what manner do the living creatures and
the elders shadow forth the redeemed ? Can we safely
say that twelve of the elders represent those who are
redeemed during the sacrificial dispensations, from
Adam to Moses, and from Moses to Christ ? and who
are also, in the symbol of the New Jerusalem (ch. 21 :
12), indicated by the twelve gates? and that the
other twelve elders represent the redeemed from the
commencement of the Christian era to the end of the
world, indicated by the twelve foundations of the city?
But see ch. 21 and 22 ; also ch. 7, 11-12.

Thou hast made us Icings and priests^ and we shall
reign. The crowns represented their sovereignty ; the
vials, or censers and harps, their priesthood. They
will reign either by the consequences of the first
resurrection (ch. 20), or by their representatives who
may be on earth at that time. The saints have never
been in the ascendant on earth. For a little while a
godly ruler may have swayed the sovereignty of em-
pire, and, in moments of exultation or victory, he
may have captivated the people, or gained their ap-
plause, for his faithfulness in their service ; but he
also needed the further security of factitious perfec-
tions and splendors, or the more formidable defence of
a standing army. But the time is coming when the
redeemed shall bear rule, and their safety shall be in
the affections of the people. The hearts of the majo-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.* 97

rities shall favor justice, and judgment, and mercy.
But will the earth ever be a place of happiness — of
such happiness as to incline the inhabitants of heaven
to desire it for a residence ? We know that the ele-
ments of happiness exist here, but they exist either in
a short-lived or perverted state. Happiness is not per-
manent, nor the means of it perpetual. All is mortal,
and the best decay. Will this ever be rectified? Cer-
tainly it is in the power of God to remedy it, and make
all things new ; but has he promised it in reference to
the earth ?

Elijah was said to have appeared in John the Bap-
tist (Luke 1 : 17, compared Avith Mat. 11 : 14), when
he came in his spirit and poAver. It may possibly be
so with this prediction of a " reign on the earth."
The virtues and graces of the millennial saints, may
comprise all the excellencies of the ancients ; for, when
compared with other Scripture, this seems to be spoken
with reference to the millennium (Isa. 2 ; Eze. 40 ;
Dan. 2 ; Mic. 4; Rev. 11 : 15, &c.

Emblems of the Text. — Seals. See ch. 5 : 1.

Earth is the symbol of a single nation, or of politi-
cal power, and worldly authority, either limited or
universal ; the context, or associated symbols, must
decide its application.

Note. — An ofi&ce is sometimes put for an officer,
or his authority ; and sometimes this is reversed, and
the ofiicer put for the office — as king, for kingdom ;
priest, for priesthood, &c.

Verse IL — And I beheld, and I heard the voice' of many angels
round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders : and the
number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands
of thousands.

Verse 12. — Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that
was slain to^ receive power, and riches, and wisdom ,and strength,
and honor, and glory, and blessing.

1 Deut. 83 : 5 ; Ps. 68 : 17 ; Dan. 7 : 10 ; Heb. 12 : 22.

2 Ch. 4 : 11 ; Matt. 28 : 18 ; Jno. 3 : 85 ; 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2 : 9 ; 1 Tim.
1:17.

5

98 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

Beheld and heard. Beheld many angels standing at
a distance, on a line or an area outside of the elders and
the throne — either on a square or circle — and he heard
their voices, distinct and loud, approving, in a chorus,
the first worship, after the elders had ceased. Is this
right to worship Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who
was slain ? Is he worthy — worthy of the worship of
angels and seraphim ? Does all this testimony, given
in the very presence of the throne, and of him that
sat thereon, have any weight towards sanctioning it?
Would it not be idolatrous to worship an unworthy
being ? Either Jesus Christ is worthy to be adored,
or the angels in heaven bear false witness, and approve
of idolatry in the presence of God.

The number of them. Ten thousand times ten thou-
sand is a hundred millions, but thousands of thousands
is a large indefinite number, expressive of vast multi-
tudes. Yet none of this number acknowledged them-
selves to have been redeemed. They had never
fallen.

Verse 13. — And every creature which is in heaven, and on the
earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea,' and all that are
in them, heard I saying. Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power,
be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for
ever and ever.

And every creature. Immediately after the angels
had ceased, voices arose from all parts of the universe
' — from the region above the earth, from land and sea,
and the region below the plane of the horizon — shout-
ing a third song of worship, differing from the two
preceding ones.

The first song is upon the harps, by the beasts and
elders, to the Lamb ; because, 1st. He is worthy. 2d.
Was slain. 8d. Has redeemed them. 4th. Has promoted
them, and made them kings and priests. The second

1 1 Chr. 2» : 11 ; Eom. 9:5; 11 : 36 ; 16 : 27 ; Gal. 1:5; Eph. 3 : 25 ;
Philip. 2 : 10 ; 4 : 20 ; 1 Tim. 6 : 16 ; 2 Tim. 4 : 18 ; Heb. 13 : 21 ; 1 Pet.
4 : 11 ; 2 P«t 8 : IS ; Jude 25 ; eh. 7 : 10.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION. 99

song is to tlie Lamb, from a multitude of angels ; be-
cause, 1st. He is worthy. 2d. He was slain. The
third is to the Holy Lord God Almighty (eh. 4 : 8),
who sat upon the throne conjointly with the Lamb,
and proclaims blessing and honor, and glory and
power, to them unitedly for ever and ever.

Verse 14. — And the four beasts* said, Amen. And the four
and twenty elders fell' down and worshipped him that liveth for
ever and ever.

And the beasts. — After the seraphim and presby-
ters had fallen down and sung to the Lamb (v. 8), they
arose and stood until after the other songs were con-
cluded, when the seraphim answered. Amen. The
four who stood nearest the throne of God, responded
to the propriety of this worship, which was tendered
by others to the Lamb, and the elders immediately
prostrated themselves before the throne and worship-
ped him that liveth for ever and ever (ch. 4 : 9, 10).

Eeview and Keflections. — From the emblems
of this chapter we gather, 1st. That when the name
and authority of Jehovah were established in the
earth, Jesus Christ was revealed with divine perfec-
tions, worthy of religious praise and worship, as the
Mediator, who, by the shedding of his blood, redeem-
ed mankind, and is exalted to an equality with the
Holy Lord God, and has received power, honor, and
authority to publish and enforce the decrees of provi-
dence and heaven, to open and to shut, and to hold
the keys of hell and of death.

2d. It appears therefore safe to draw these infer-
ences : that the worship tendered to Jesus Christ by
any creature is approved of in heaven. The united
voices of the four seraphim, saying, Amen (a word
transferred from the Hebrew, and signifying), "so be
it," " so let it be," indicate that it would be wicked-

* Animals. i Ch, 4:9; 19:4.

100 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

ness to withhold such worship from him, or to refuse
to honor the Son even as they honor the Father
(John 5 : 23): that if John in the spirit heard
voices from all parts of the world at the same time
(v. 13), so the spirits of men in heaven may have fac-
ulties of communicating with each other at great dis-
tances, and of simultaneously hearing and knowing
(Luke 15 : 7, 10) things which are transpiring in other
parts of the world at the very moment they take
place.

God can hear all voices at all times, or close his
ears against them.

CHAPTER VI.

Opening of Six of the Seals of the Book.

Verse 1. — And I saw when the Lamb' opened one of the
seals, and I heard, as it were the noise * of thunder, one of the
four beasts, saying. Come and see.

One of the Seals. Seals being the insignia of civil
authority (ch. 5 : 1) the opening of a seal would indi-
cate either the history or prophecy of political revo-
lutions— the breaking up or overturning of civil gov-
ernments. If other things were to be represented,
other symbols would be employed to represent them.
The opening of the seven seals, therefore, must lead
us to expect actions of a political bearing, variously
modified according to the symbols which attend them.

Thunder (ch. 4 : 5). As soon as the Lamb opened
the first seal, the seraph, whose face was like a lion's

1 Ch. 4 : 6 ; 5 : 5, 9 ; Acts 41 : 20.

» I heard one of the four Hving creatures saying, as the voice of thun-
der, Come, see.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC EEVELATION. 101

(cli. -1 : 7), with a voice of tlmnder, said to John and
the assembled hosts of heaven, Come and see. Their
minds and eyes were called off from the contemplation
of the Lamb, and other things in heaven, to observe
what followed the breaking of the seal.

Verse 2. — And I saw, and behold, a white horse :' and he that
sat on him had a bow ; and a crown was given unto him : and he
went forth conquering, and to conquer.

And I saw. John, whose position might have been,
during all the other representations of ch. 4 and 5, at
the door of heaven, now took special notice of what
passed on account of the broken seal. He does not
say that the Lamb read the book, only that he opened
the seals (ch. 5 : 5). The lion was the second in
Ezekiel's vision of the cherubs (Eze. 1 : 10).

White horse. The horse is an emblem of grandeur,
courage, fleetness, and strength. The color of the
horse varies the symbol. A white horse has long been
considered symbolical of the religion of Jehovah. It
was ridden anciently in triumphant marches and pub-
lic parades.

He that sat on the horse had a how. The bow is the
first artificial weapon of human warfare, and is indic-
ative of a people emerging from a state of barbarism
to civilization. Those who handle the bow generally
know something of the mechanic arts, agriculture, and
poetry ; but they lead an unsettled, wandering life,
and subsist more upon natural vegetation, fishing,
hunting, and plunder, than upon the products of the
cultivated earth.

A crown luas given unto him. A crown is emblem-
atical of honors and authority (ch. 4 : 4), and indicates a
settled people under a regularly organized [monarchi-
cal] government. He received one croAvn because he
[it] was to rule only one nation, ch. 19 : 16.

1 Ps. 45 : 3 ; Zech. 1:8; Ch. 14 : 14 ; 19 : 11.

102 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

He went forth conquering. When he went forth, it
was from the midst of conquest. He had just come
from conquering and had the evidences of conquest
with him. These words of explanation are added by
John, lest the symbol might not be sufficiently intelli-
gible. A white horse, the religion of Jehovah and of
peace, is found connected with the conquests of human
warfare, and carnal weapons, and an earthly crown.
Power and dominion are superadded.

The words translated, " he went forth conquering"
are ef?}A,^e vlkwv, " HE WENT OUT CONQUERING," that is,
he went out victorious.

And to conquer^ or "to excel." From the midst of
victories, he went out that he may conquer — with the
avowed intention of making conquests.

Here let us review these symbols, and ask where
we may look for a "warlike," "half-civilized" and
"unsettled people," "professing the worship of Jeho-
vah," " carrying with them the spoils or ensigns of con-
quest," " going forth from victories" afterwards effecting
" permanent settlements," " changing their form of gov-
ernment to a monarchy," "conquering" the surrounding
nations and " excelling in arms, arts, and sciences, laws,
and religion ? " Well might the lion-like seraphim pro-
claim to the assembled " thousands" of heaven and
earth, and with a voice of "thunder" say, " Come and
see!" We may come and see this, but nowhere, ex-
cept in the history of the Israelites coming up with
the "spoils of Egypt," with the avowed intention of con-
quering Syria to establish the religion of Jehovah
in the Holy Land.

We are prepared for an outline of Jewish history,
that we may compare it with the symbols of the text.

The Hebrews came out of Egypt A. M. 2513, be-
fore Christ 1491. I use the common era. They were
formed into a national government in Canaan, A. M.
2560, B. C. 1444, with an aristocracy, which gradually
became elective. After a variety of fortune, Saul was

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION. 103

appointed their first king (see story of Abimelech
Judges 9), and the form of government changed to a
monarchy A. M. 2909, B. c. 1095. David, descended
from the line of the ancient houses of Moab and Judah
(Ruth 4 : 17), ascended the throne of the twelve tribes
of Jacob, on the death of Saul A. M. 2948, and became
the founder of a new race of monarchs, whose career is
the most impartial, splendid, and important of ancient
times. This dynasty continued to rule with varied
capacity and success, during the long period of more
than a thousand years (ch. 3 : 7). David extended
his conquests far and wide, and was the most warlike
prince of the age in which he lived. Under the long
and peaceful reign of his son the nation attained the
zenith of its prosperity. Unrivalled in the glory of his
laws, Solomon was a judge of great integrity, a scholar
of unsurpassed erudition, and a man of candor and lib-
erality. His reign attracted artisans from every coun-
try, and his court became the resort of the learned and
fashionable of all nations. Under his wise and foster-
ing care, agriculture filled his stores with plenty, and
commerce poured her riches at his feet. His capital
became a museum of the curiosities of every land,
a depot of the luxuries of every clime. Jerusalem
was embellished with magnificent edifices, and the
arts were carried to a perfection unknown to other na-
tions of his age. On his decease, which occurred 120
years from the inauguration of Saul, two rival aspi-
rants for the crown, Rehoboam and Jeroboam — the
latter assisted by the forces of Egypt — divided the peo-
ple and plunged them into civil wars, which resulted in
the permanent establishment of two separate monar-
chies within the original empire of David. These
monarchies were still powerful, but they wasted their
strength in mutual feuds and conflicts, during a period
of more than two hundred years, which made way for
the opening of the second seal (see ch. 5 : 5 ; 6:3;
8:1; note).

104 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

Let lis compare the history with the symbols of the
text. The "thunder," indicating [discussions? and]
civil or religious convulsions, is a prelude to the He-
brews' leaving Egypt. The seal opens, and the power
of Egypt is dissolved. The "white horse" shadpw
forth their religion and triumphs over Pharaoh. The
" bow" in the hand of the rider on the horse shows their
state of civilization, and weapons of war : " going forth"
or riding, signifies a moving people, marching armies,
&c., and is answerable to the time they left Egypt, till
they entered the promised land, or possibly from the
days of Abraham to their settlement in Canaan, and
in one sense or other is significant of that people to
the days of David.

A crown was give?! him. In Palestine, the children
of Israel changed their form of government, during the
presidency or judgeship of Samuel, from an elective re-
public to a limited, hereditary monarchy. "Conquering"
or " excelling" (Gr. vlkwv). Excelling or conquering in
arts, arms, sciences, religion and laws, is applicable to
the Israelites at various periods. Their laws, sometimes
perverted, were, from the days of Moses to Herod, the
best in the world. Their armies were the best disci-
plined, and most successful of any in the world from
the days of Saul to Ahaz — a period of three centuries.
During the long and wise reign of Solomon, foreign
mechanics were patronized, native Hebrews were en-
couraged and honored, the arts attained to a per-
fection that was the astonishment and admiration of
the times; and their public buildings have never
been excelled.

Science does not depend upon the caprice of any
people. That is the property of nations, and the
result of the discoveries of consecutive ages. Many
learned men have appeared among the descendants
of Jacob ; their historians and divines have been the
instructors of succeeding generations, and to this day
salvation is of the Jews.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 105

Remarks. — No time is noted for the accomplish-
ment of the events under the first six seals, because
the opening of those seals was but the review — the
revelation of things which had gone before, the times
of which were well known to John and his contem-
poraries. They had before been recorded or predict-
ed, and were among the things '* that had been seen"
(ch. 1 : 19). The opening of the seventh seal (ch.
8 : 1) indicates a prophecy, and the time is stated.
And we may lay it down as an invariable rule, in the
interpretation of the Book of Revelation, that the
time of the fulfilment of each prophecy is stated in the
vision which announces it, where it has not been before
stated in a previous vision.

The time of this seal, reckoning from the Exodus
to the invasion of Shalmaneser, was about 750 years.
I cannot persuade myself to close this condensed
sketch of events, indicated under the opening of the
first seal, without remarking that the great pains com-
mentators have taken to press the seven important
epochs symbolized by the breaking of the seven seals,
into the short space of about 250 years, viz., from the
destruction of the Jewish commonwealth to the estab-
lishment of a corrupt Christianity by the sword of
Constantine, shows that their interpretations appear
both unnatural and unsatisfactory.

Verse 3. — And when he had opened the second' seal, I heard
the second beast" say, Come and see.

Second beast. This second living creature was like
a calf (ch. 4:7).

Verse 4. — And there went out another horse' that was red ;
and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from
the earth, and that they should kill one another : and there was given
unto him a great sword.

» Ch. 5 : 1 ; 6 : 1, 2. * Second animal.

5 Zech. 1 : 8 ; ch. 2 : 12 ; ch. 12 : 13 ; 17 : 8.

6*

106 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

There ivent out another horse. This horse was seen
passing out. The first horseman waited until a crown
was given unto him^ before he made extensive con-
quests, but this one was going out when he first saw
him.

Red. This horse was of a bright shining " red" or
fire-color, giving the appearance of blood glistering
in the sun. A red horse is the ensign of war. Was
this the first scarlet beast ?

Sword. Sword symbolizes both the license and
the instruments of vengeance (ch. 2 : 12) a great sword
is the emblem of large and desolating armies, and in-
dicates, as compared with the bow, an advanced state
of the arts.

Here let us review these symbols, and ask where
are we to look for a populous and warlike people
sending forth their armies as "instruments of ven-
geance," by which the religion of Jehovah is effected
in an extensive conquest or slaughter, or by mutual
slaughter, by which peace is taken from the earth ? I
say, by which the religion of Jehovah is affected, be-
cause, although the Bible deals in affairs that are not
strictly of a religious character (ch. 1 : 19), yet it does
not deal in affairs that have no permanent bearing on
religion. Nor are the pages of the Kevelation wasted
by a description of those commotions among men which
have no immediate connection with its great and lead-
ing object, "the testimony of Jesus." Where then
are we to look in the history of the world for a com-
bination of events compatible with these symbols?
Does not the history of Palestine furnish the answer?
Let us " come and see."

History. — After the partition of the empire of
David (1 Kings), although internal dissensions weaken-
ed the two nations of Israel and Judah, their com-
mercial and foreign relations continued nearly the
same as before. They were still respected and power-
ful abroad, and the world enjoyed comparative quiet.

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION. 107

Egypt had been so disastrously weakened by the
exodus of the children of Israel, that she had not yet
recovered her former prosperity, and felt little inclined
to bring down upon herself the terrible chastisement
of another Hebrew conquest. She therefore gratified
her enmity by fanning the flames of jealousy between
the rival crowns of the Holy Land, or reaped the
rich rewards of a neutral policy, through the friendly
commercial relations she cultivated with both. Five
years after the partition of the empire, Shishak, king
of Egypt, made a diversion in favor of Jeroboam, en-
tered Jerusalem, plundered the temple, and returned
again to Africa. But two and a half centuries after
this a powerful rival arose in the East. The great city
of Nineveh (Nah. 1-3 ; Jonah 1-8), situated in the rich
valley of the river Euphrates, began to attract at-
tention, and her ambitious chiefs conceived the design
of humbling their hitherto terrible, but now impolitic
and discordant neighbors of Palestine. For this pur-
pose, through policy or fear (see 2 Kings 16 : 7), they
brought the haughty and fiery nobles of her populous
valleys to their standard. Shalmaneser, a successful
and impetuous general, at the head of a large army,
set out from Nineveh for the invasion of Syria. He
attacked the tribes of Reuben and Gad, overcame the
armies sent to oppose him, and drove them back with
fearful slaughter. Following up his successes, he soon
conquered the whole territory of Jeroboam, reduced
Samaria, expatriated the inhabitants, and annexed the
country to his dominions A. M. 8234, B. c. 720. This
was 871 years after their exodus from Egypt, and 875
years after their erection into a monarchy, when Saul
was anointed king (2 Kings ch. 15-19).

Ten years after this, Senacherib, at the head of the
Assyrian forces, invaded Judea, but the previous con-
quests had aroused the jealousy of Egypt, and she was
in arms to oppose him. Their forces came together
near Libnah (2 King 19 : 8). Incredible numbers fell

108 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

on both sides, but tlie fortunes of war declared in fa-
vor of the rising nation of Assyria^ and Egypt was
destined to feel the awful resentment of that young
and haughty conqueror. Her shattered armies were
everywhere driven from the field, and fire and sword
proclaimed the power of the conquering foe. Her
commerce was destroyed, her fields desolated, her
cities wasted, and her citizens butchered with an ap-
palling barbarity, well symbolized by the emblems
of the text. Having satiated his vengeance in Egypt,
Senacherib returned to Judea. He laid waste the
country and smaller cities and invested Jerusalem,
the capital ; but a miraculous pestilence destroyed the
flower of his veteran army, and he returned to his
own country ; but not to enjoy repose. Wars, divi-
sions, and revolutions succeeded throughout his vast
conquests from China to Ethiopia. Egypt, rid of the
enemy, gathered her shattered forces, rebuilt and forti-
fied her cities, and, collecting her great resources, re-
paired to some extent, her misfortunes.

Judea, enriched by the spoils of Senacherib's army,
fortified her towns, built castles, provided arms, and
made a respectable show of strength, and the enfeebled
dominions of Israel sought her protection (2 Chr.
30 : 11).

Babylon of Chaldea, a colony of Nineveh,* (Isa.
28 : 13 ; Gen. 10 : 11 ; Zeph. 2 : 13), anciently planted
on her northern confines for the defence of her wilder-
ness frontier, asserted her independence, and confed-
erated with Hezekiah king of Judah. Nineveh unable
to retain her conquests abroad, thought only of de-
fending her dependencies at home. Thus Judah again
held the keys of empire.

But four nations (Assyria, Judea, Chaldea, and
Egypt), so equally balanced could not for any con-

* I have preferred the plain declaration of Isaiah to the dubious
rendering of Moses (compare Isa. 23 : 13 with Gen. 10 : 11) ; and per-
haps the Babel of Genesis is not the Babylonia Chaldei of Isaiah (ch.
16 : 17-21).

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 109

siderable time peaceably hold the empire of the
world.

Let "US now compare this brief history with the
emblems of the text. From the days of David, during
the long term of more than three hundred years, the
leading nations of the world, Palestine holding the
umpire, had externally enjoy edp rofound peace, until
it was interrupted by the haughty generals of Assyria
carrying out the policy of Nineveh. The Assyrian
empire, with Nineveh at its head, unsheathed the great
sword that reached the Holy Land, carried the ten
tribes into captivity, and came in contact with the re-
ligion of Jehovah in Judea, which took peace from the
world. The opening of this seal, and the going forth
of this scarlet beast, is the commencement of those
religious wars which have never since, for any consid-
erable time, stopped their disastrous career.

1. A seal IS broken^ and the kingdom of Israel is
overturned, involving Nineveh in its fall.

2. A red horse goes forth. A mighty power is moved
to conquest, followed by destructive and desolating
wars.

3. -Fo?' the first time in the luorld, idolatry, supported
by the sword, comes in aggressive and hostile contact
with the religion of Jehovah, not in Israel but Judea,
and peace is never restored.*

4. And that they should hill one another. Idolaters
slaughtered idolaters in Israel, Egypt, and eventually
in civil wars in Assyria.

These convulsions therefore explain the emblems
of the text. The wars of the second seal comprise a
period of about seventy years, the whole duration of
the seal, from the division of the Hebrew empire to
its fall, about three centuries.

* The Egyptians under Pharaoh were the first to make war on the
worshippers of God ; but their object was to recapture runaway slaves,
natives of Egypt, not to make conquests in a foreign land.

110 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC EEVELATION.

Verse 5. — And when he had opened the third' seal, I heard
the third beast" say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo, a black
horse ; and he that sat on hira had a pair of bahmces ^ in his hand.

Verse 6. — And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts
say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of ^ barley
for a penny ; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

A voice in the midst of the beasts. The throne, He
that sat on it, the Lamb in the midst of the throne,
and the seven spirits of God, were all in the midst of
the four beasts.

Emblems of the Text. — The third seal is opened,
indicating that another government is overturned, and
the third beast, or seraph, with six wings and a man's
face, said " Come and see."

A hlach horse is the emblem of desolation, calamity,
and mourning. In the vision of Zech. ch. 6, the black
horse went into the North, into Chaldea, Syria, and
Media.

Balances in his hand. The symbols of justice. When
used to weigh corn, the emblems of want, exactness,
and famine (Lev. 26: 28; Ezek. 4: 9-17). But the
word fuyoV, translated "balances," is also used for
yoke ; metaphorically for slavery, as in Acts 15 : 10 ;
1 Tim. 6 : 1 ; 1 Pet. 2 : 16.

Measure (see Polyglot margin). The various words
translated "measure" in Scripture are of different ca-
pacity, the Gr. XoIvl^^ here translated "measure," is a
capacity of nearly 50 solid inches, or about one Amer-
ican quart. This being sold for a denarius, a coin worth,
before the reign of Vespasian, according to Ains-
worth, 8^ pence sterling, equal to nearly twelve
cents American currency ; so that at $4 a bushel
for wheat, or $1^ for barley, with the wages of the
times either of John, or at the opening of the seal, a
man would scarcely be able to work for enough to keep

1 Zech. 6:8; Jer. 3 : 12 ; 4 : 1, 3 ; ch. 4 : 7.

^ Third living creature or animal. b Or scales.

2 Ps. 76 : 10 ; ch. 9 : 8.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. Ill

himself alive. We are therefore to look for the reli-
gion of Jehovah to be affected by invasion, slavery, and
famine, while the " oil and the wine" remain unhurt,
either literally, as human sustenance and medicine, or
figuratively, as by sparing the more valuable and vir-
tuous people of the land ; and these later not from the
care or clemency of the invaders, but by a direct prov-
idence, or the nature of things (ch. 9).

History. — The peace of the world, having been
interrupted by the ambitious projects of Nineveh,
could not be restored by throwing other nations into
the scale with her, and thus balancing the powers of
the earth (see 2nd seal). Babylon of Chaldea was des-
tined to run the race of warlike ambition.

She extended her conquests North and East into
Parthia and Media, and eventually, by force or treaty,
added those states to her empire; by the help of
Astyages or Ahashuerus I., she conquered Nineveh,
and reduced the mother city a dependency to her do-,
minions.

The Egyptians, jealous of the grooving importance
of this new empire, and still smarting under the dis-
asters of their former wars with those provinces,
conceived the design of invading the Chaldeans, to
break up if possible the new coalition, favored by Ju-
dea (Eze. 23 : 32), and regain the glory of their arms
and the booty wrested from them by Senacherib.

With thesedesigns, a large army under Pharaoh
Necho (2 Kings 23) marched towards the Euphrates,
either to favor a revolt at Nineveh, or recapture that
city from the Babylonians.

On their way, while crossing Palestine, they were
met at Megiddo by the forces of Judea, under king
Josiah who commanded in person. A battle ensued, in
which Josiah was slain and his army defeated, B. c. 623.
Jerusalem soon after capitulated to the Egyptians and
became tributary. The king of Babylon shortly after
drove the Egyptians back to Africa, where they found
enough to take care of their domestic affairs, and Baby-

112 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

Ion was left to lier career. Nebuchadnezzer, a politic
and warlike prince, was now upon the throne. He
sent a large army towards Judea. overrun the interme-
diate country, which, on the fall of Nineveh, had, it
seems, assumed its independence, or returned to the
protection of the Jewish kings, and threatened Jerusa-
lem. Jehoiakim, the reigning prince, a feeble and
treacherous monarch, tributary of Egypt (2 Kings 23),
submitted without the risk of a battle, and the country
was added to the diadem of the Babylonian conqueror,
B. c. 620, three years after the death of Josiah.

Jehoiakim continued his allegiance to Babylon
three years. The terms of confederation being une-
qual between the two nations, the Babylonians held
Judea in the light of a subjugated and conquered pro-
vince, not as an equal and independent state. Jehoia-
kim, therefore, having fortified his capital, and placed
the country in a posture of defence, relying upon
the aid of Egypt, revolted, and maintained a hostile
independence against incursive and depredating par-
ties stirred up by Babylon, till his death, which hap-
pened about six years afterwards. B. c. 614.

Upon his death, Jehoiachin, his son, succeeded to
the throne at the age of eighteen. He found his trea-
sury exhausted, the people discontented, divided and
oppressed by taxation, and the state engaged in a fo-
reign war with the powerful and overshadowing em-
pire of Chaldea ; and, what added more to his per-
plexity and hastened the downfall of his country, he
inherited a corrupt and sanguinary council, the tools
of his mother, whom he mistrusted and feared. (Jer.)
Under these embarrassments, his kingdom was invad-
ed by the victorious army of Chaldea, returning from
the conquest of Northern Egypt under Nebuchadnez-
zar, who besieged the city of Jerusalem. Jehoiachin
submitted on discretion ; he was expatriated with his
family and nobles, and the ornaments of the temple
were taken to Babylon. Zedekiah, his uncle, was made

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 118

king by tlie conqueror, B. C 604. Nine years after this
event, Jerusalem again raised the standard of revolt,
and all Judea soon followed her example. No sooner
had tidings of this rebellion reached Babylon, than
the king mustered his forces and hastened into Pales-
tine. He dismantled the towns and cities about Jeru-
salem, capturing or driving off the wealthy mhabit-
ants, but leaving the poorer and neutral classes to be
vine-dressers and husbandmen. When the harvest
and vintage were gathered in, he seized the products
of the soil for the support of his army, depriving the
wretched inhabitants of their daily bread, the fruit of
their laborious toil. Steadily advancing, he at length
invested the capital, which was as well fortified as hu-
man art, in a naturally strong position, could make it.
Around this impregnable fortress, for so Jerusalem
might be called (Sam.), Nebuchadnezzar patiently en-
camped his soldiery and awaited the issue. The be-
siegers made but little progress. Secure within their
retreat, the Jews derided the hosts of Babylon. Bat
Nebuchadnezzar found means to poison or cut off the
supply of water from the city. The improvidence or
poverty of Zedekiah had failed to secure a sufficient
store of provisions, and the food of the city was ex-
hausted ; to these calamities, pestilence joined his in-
visible and omnipresent sword, and the gaunt soldier,
parched with thirst and burning with fever, sought the
hidden morsel that might be concealed by some more
favored citizen, with the vain hope to prolong the
path of suffering that leads to certain death. What,
therefore, the enemy could not do from without, pesti-
lence, thirst, and famine accomplished from within;
and after this desperate resistance, finding it useless
to hold out any longer, Zedekiah fled from his ca-
pital to the open country, whither he was pursued,
captured, and sent in chains a prisoner to Babylon,
B. c. 593. His country had been so long ravaged by
invaders from abroad, and exacters at home, that, to

114 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

use the plaintive description of the sacred historian,
''the famine prevailed in the city," and out of the
city, "there was no bread for the people of the
land."

Jerusalem, so often the nursery of treachery and
revolt, was dismantled, her walls thrown down, her
temple burnt, and the place left a scene of blackened
and smoking ruins, a monument of Nebuchadnezzar's
wrath, and a warning to other states. This terrible
blow reduced the people to slavery, and put a period
to the Jewish commonwealth, 898 years after their ex-
odus from Egypt, and 502 after Saul changed the
government to a monarchy, B. c. 592.

When the Chaldean army were gone to Babylon,
Jeremiah informs us that "the Jews returned out of
all places whither they were driven, and came to the
land of Judea, and gathered oil and summer fruits,
very much."

Let us now compare this history with the emblems
of the text.

1. The third seal is opened^ and the invading armies
of Babylon, overturning the Hebrew nation, reduce
the people to slavery, or the "yoke," Lam. 1 : 4, by
which the white horse is succeeded by the black one —
the religion of Jehovah is eclipsed and its visibility
destroyed.

2. During the tumults and uncertainties of war,
agriculture is suspended, and the staples of life cut
short for want of cultivation. Scarcity and famine
ensue, bearing in their train the ever-attendant calami-
ties of pestilence and mourning.

3. The olive-tree and the vine continued to grow
without the husbandman's care, and were not so sensi-
bly diminished by invasions and neglect ; so that
while the people bowed to the miseries of famine and
the yoke of slavery, their oppressors " hurt not the
oil and the wine."

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 115

The duration of this seal, from the fall of Samaria
tQ the conquest of Jerusalem, was about 130 years.

Verse 7. — And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the
voice of the fourth beast* say, Come and see.^

Verse 8. — And I looked, and behold, a pale horse : and his name
that sat on him was Death, '^ and hell followed'' with him. And power
was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with
sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the
earth.

Emblems of the Text. — The fourth seal is opened,
and a fourth government involving the true religion is
overthrown. The fourth beast like an eagle (ch. 4 : 7)
gives the prelude.

A pale horse. This horse, of a livid, greenish hue,
indicates destruction and pestilence — natural, civil,
moral, and religious.

The rider's name was, in Greek, OdvaTo<;, Death;
^AlSt]^^ the Grave, or Hell, followed with him. The
powers of hell, that is, the opposers of the true relig-
ion, and "him that had the power of death, that is,
the devil," assisted him.

Power luas given unto them, (from whom ?) over the
fourth part of the earth, to hill luith the sword, by making
war, and by public and private executions, in pursu-
ance of law.

To kill tvith hunger. To destroy the fruits of the
earth, both the breadstufPs and the oil and wine (see
V. 6).

To kill with death. Death is the dissolution or dis-
order of the subject referred to, according to its nature,
and may be applied metaphorically to things which
have no natural life, when the end, object, or functions
of their existence are defeated or frustrated. Despair
is the end of expectation, therefore in despair hope is

* Fourth being or animal.
[ 1 Ch. 4:7; 5:14.

3 Eze. 1 : 4, 13 ; Zech. 8:3; ch. 8 : 11.
fc Even Hades followed with him.

116 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

dead ; so in Eom. 7:8; " without the law, sin is dead ;"
again, " sin revived and I (Paul) died" (Eom. 7 : 9). By
the law, his sins became manifest, and, of consequence,
through the law, he could have no further hope of sal-
vation, and he was as one condemned to death, or al-
ready dead. To kill with death then has reference
to the conscience. To kill with hunger, and to kill
with death, therefore, are symbols of very different
meanings — the former refers to the body ; the latter, is
sin, idolatry, or false religion, and destroys the soul.

And to kill with the beasts of the earth. This killing
with the beasts of the earth, seems to represent the
sacrifices of unclean beasts offered in idolatrous wor-
ship. Savage-minded men, and warlike, unjust, politi-
cal, and iDolitico-religious governments, are frequently
symbolized by beasts in Scripture (Eze. 13 : 82 ; Dan.
7 ; Luke 13 : 32, &c.). Furious wild beasts were, un-
der the Jewish temple worship, held to be unclean, as
were also some domesticated animals; and but few
of the clean beasts were offered in sacrifices. None,
however, except wild ones, make depredations upon
man.

Note. — An opinion has been advanced, that after
desolating wars or pestilences, wild beasts might in-
crease so as to become formidable to the residue of a
nation. Were this opinion applicable, it might be true.
But could the leader of an army be held so far account-
able, as to be said to "kill" with those beasts of the
earth which follow the desolations of an army ?

Here let us review these symbols, and ask where
we shall look for this politico-religious war in which
the worshippers of Jehovah are confounded with idol-
ators, and this bastard religion, led on by Death, and
followed by Hell, is mixed up with the true religion,
and kills by law, and the beasts of the earth ? I ask
where ? For we are to remember, that under the third
seal we saw the religion of Jehovah overshadowed
and its visibility gone.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 117

History. — The subjugation of Judea and the de-
struction of the city and temple of Jerusalem, left
Bab3don mistress of the world, without a rival and
without an armed foe. She held the reins of empire
with a strong hand. But a single monarch, at the
head of invincible troops, degenerated, in the person
of his successor, to a voluptuous and sanguinary ty-
rant. A conspiracy drove Nebuchadnezzar from his
throne into retirement, but after the lapse of seven,
years by a counter revolution (Dan. 4) he was recalled
and reinstated in the kingdom. His successors, proud
of their ancestry and empire, preferred the sensualities
of life to the cares, privations and labors of govern-
ment. Caressed and flattered from their infancy, they
were deceived, and attempted to deceive others, with
the idea that they were a race of beings of a superior
order and nobler blood, who ruled by divine appoint-
ment, and that the government belonged to them by
natural and indefeasible right. Elated with their vain
and false pretensions, they imagined their subjects
were created for their pleasure, and might be disposed
of for the gratification of a momentary caprice or the in-
dulgence of an arbitrary will. These sentiments, the
natural parents of cruelty, despotism and injustice,
were endured at first Avith a sullen acquiescence, which
gradually grew into secret murmurs, plots and conspi-
racies that eventually broke out into rebellion. The
Medes on the northern border, forming an alliance
with Persia, took the field, and the smouldering fires
of discontent flamed forth in all parts of the empire.
The Jews, then in Babylonish captivity, sympathized
with the rebels and lent them their aid. Egypt with-
held her subsidies, and prepared to maintain her revolt
with the resources of the country ; and Babylon, de-
serted by her provinces, fell under the accumulated
evils of domestic treason and foreign invasion. The
confederate armies of the Medes and Persians, having
conquered Asia Minor, pursued the retreating monarch

118 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

of Chaldea to his capital; and Babylon was in her
turn invested by a besieging army under Cyrus, the
active and indefatigable general of the allied powers
of the North. The city, surrounded by high walls
and towers, sustained a vigorous siege, but was at
length taken by stratagem ; and in pursuance of a gen-
erous policy, or to reward the Jews for their assistance
in the war, Cyrus issued a decree (Ezra ch. 1 ; Dan.
5, 6) by which they were restored to their former priv-
ileges, their religion tolerated, and themselves permit-
ted to return to Palestine, which, after various vicissi-
tudes and delays, was accomplished, and the temple
rebuilt after a captivity of seventy years, B. c. 536
to 523.

Thus, by a revolution which overturned the Baby-
lonian empire, the religion of Jehovah was publicly
re-established in Palestine. We are now to look for a
combination of historical circumstances, which, al-
though they do not so eclipse this religion as to render
it invisible, yet they deface its beauty, purity and vig-
or, and leave it as a sear and withered tree

After the Jews returned, they held the favor of the
Persian monarchs with little interruption to the time
of Alexander the Great, king of Macedon. On the
event of his death, which happened before Christ 324,
his empire underwent many changes until it was di-
vided into thirty-three governments. These were
soon absorbed by four central powers, commanded by
four of his most prominent or most successful gene-
rals.

Antigonus, one of the four, obtained possession of
his principal dominions in Asia, but Selucus, another
of Alexander's officers and son of Antiochus, revolted
against Antigonus, and took possession of the ancient
city of Babylon. Their armies soon after met in the
famous battle of Ipsus, in which Antigonus was de-
feated and slain. Selucus was by this victory con-
firmed in his authority B. c. 312. He founded the king-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 119

dom of Syria or Syro-Meclia, whicli reckoning from the
time of his taking Babylon to the period when Syria
became a Roman province (b. c. 6d), lasted 250 years.
Syria was governed by twenty-three kings, styled
the Seleucidge, from the name of Seleucus, the founder.
Antiochus Epiphanes, one of the Selencid^, became
king B. c. 175. He was at first unpopular in some of
his provinces, especially in Palestine, the nominal
go\ernment of which he obtained by a league with
the disaffected inhabitants of Jerusalem and the neigh-
boring cities. He made war on the bordering nations ;
and, among the rest, gained considerable advantages
in Egypt. On his way, in one of his expeditions to
Egypt, he passed Jerusalem, where he deposed Onias,
the high-priest of the temple, and sold the office to
Menelaus, the brother of Onias, of whom we shall
have occasion again to speak (ch. 8 : 10-11). This
greatly disaffected many of the Jews, who not long
afterwards, hearing a report that Antiochus was killed
in battle, made public rejoicings, and attempted to turn
Menelaus from the priesthood. Enraged at these pro-
ceedings, Antiochus on his return forced his way into
Jerusalem, killed 40,000 of the inhabitants, and sold
as many more for slaves to the heathens around. He
also robbed the public treasury of about eighteen hun-
dred talents of gold and silver, and carried off a great
part of the sacred furniture of the temple. On leav-
ing Jerusalem he appointed Philip of Phrygia and
Andromachus to govern Judea and Samaria. Two years
after this, from mistrust or revenge, he sent Apollonias.
his general, to pillage Jerusalem, who killed multi-
tudes and carried off 10,000 prisoners. After this,
Antiochus permitted his troop to pillage the other
cities of Judea, either for want of a disposition or au-
thority to prevent them, to murder the men, and to sell
the women and children into slavery. He then at first
built a fort near the temple, in which was placed a
garrison that frequently interrupted the public worship,

k

120 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC EEVELATION.

but soon after the temple itself was, by Lis order,
dedicated to idolatry, a statue of Jupiter Olympus, an
idol of Greece, erected on the altar of burnt-offerings,
and sacrifices offered to it about three years (compare
1 Macca. 1 : 54 ; 4 : 52 ; with 2 Mac. 10 : 3). By
virtue of a decree of uniformity, such of the Jews as
refused to comply with the innovation of the temple-
service, thus introduced were exposed to torture and
death. Many complied, some suffered martyrdom,
others took up arms. After a variety of struggles,
the Maccabees obtained command of the disaffected
Jews, and a series of brave and terrible battles, attend-
ed with immense and almost incredible slaughter, gave
them possession uf Jerusalem. They removed and re-
built the altar, and restored the public worship of God
at the temple, b. c. 165.

The Eomans soon interfered in the dispute and
decided the controversy by a decree of the senate.

Let us now compare this history with the emblems
of the text.

1st. The fourth seal is broken, and events flow
out of it more disastrous than any preceding, involv-
ing in its history the leading nations of the world,
Babylon, Persia, Macedon, Egypt, Syro-Media, and
Palestine.

2d. Syro-Media, one of the four leading govern-
ments of the era succeeding Macedon, is signified by
the pale horse as one "fourth part of the earth."

3d. Antiochus Epiphanes, of the race of the Selu-
cidse, rode upon the horse, or was commander and
kmg of the government at the time.

4th. He made war upon the nations, but especially
upon his allies in Judea, with great slaughter on all
sides. He killed with the sword. Famine ensued.

5th. He hilled ivith death. He sold into slavery,
which is civil death. He compelled a compliance with
idolatry, and apostacy from a religious profession of
the true God, and confounded the worship and wor-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 121

shippers of Jupiter and Jeliovali — Menelaiis, the high-
priest at JerusaleDi, the temple, and the people, being
consecrated to both. This is spiritual death. Antio-
chus seems to have done this from a mistaken policy,
vainly hoping, in his ignorance of human nature, that
an act of religious uniformity would reconcile the
Jews to his administration, and prevent those hostile
seditions which had been the cause of so much blood-
shed, and had so long disturbed the peace of the
state. He seems to have looked upon the attach-
ment of the Jews to their religious worship and their
firmness as a stubborn and contumacious resistance to
the policy of his administration, in miatters which it
was not essential for them to observe. So in later
times, statesmen have thought, and ministers have
preached, that a strict adherence to the commands
and ceremonies of the Christian religion was seditious
resistance to the public authority of the state.

6th. He hilled vy'itli the beasts of the earth — by savage
and bloody men, who were heads of politico-religious
governments — by bribing the high-priest to offer un-
clean beasts in sacrifice to Jupiter, upon the altar of
Jehovah (see ch. 8), and introducing idolatry into the
temple at Jerusalem. And the powers of "Hell,"
under the forms of idolatry, followed after and assist-
ed him. We may trace to these revulsions, the his-
tor}^ of those sects and parties which afterwards fa-
tally divided the Jewish people, and resulted in their
destruction as a nation.

The duration of this seal, from the fall of Babylon
to the restoration of the temple-service, under the
Maccabees, was about 370 years. But from the found-
ing of the Syro-Median kingdom to the assumption
and interference of the Roman senate only 140 years.

6

122 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Verse 9. — And when he had opened the* fifth seal, I saw under
the altar the souls of them that were slain for theword of God,
and for the testimony which they held.

Verse 10. — And they cried with a loud voice,^ saying, How
long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood
on them that dwell upon the earth?

Verse 11. — And white robes were given unto^ every one of
them ; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little
season, until their fellow-servants also, and their brethren, that
should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

On the opening of this seal, the seraphim are silent,
but a new scene is presented, and other agents are pre-
sented in the vision; there is introduced the appear-
ance of the souls under the altar, of those who had
been slain, 1st, for the Word of God, and 2dlj, for the
testimony which they held.

Emblems of the Text. — The fifth seal is broken,
and another civil commotion involves the religion of
the Jews.

The souls of the martyrs cried luith a loud voice ^ and
white rohes are given unto them. Voices are the em-
blems of discussions, proclamations, and debates (ch.
4:2); therefore, about the time of this revolution, an
animated or " loud " religious discussion is commenced,
in which the principles of the ancients, who had been
"slain for the Word of God," are reviewed and vindi-
cated. White rohes — the emblems of innocence and
purity (ch. 3 : 5, 6,) or good character and good repu-
tation— are given unto every one of them.

All this is manifestl}^ brought about by the inter-
position of the "Lord, holy and true;" that is, in pur-
suance of prophecy.

History. — After the fortunes of war had deter-
mined in favor of the Maccabees (4th seal), the Jews
had a respite from arms, or were triumphant in the
field; for more than half a century (a. m. 8899, B. c.

' Ch. 1:9; 8:3; 9:13; 12:17; 14:18; 19:10; 20:4.

2 Peter 2 : 1 ; 1 John 5 : 20 ; Jude 4; ch. 3 : U ; 19 : 2.

3 Heb. 11 :40: ch. 3:5; 7:9. 14.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 123

104). About sixty years before tbe birth of Jesus
Christ, civil wars again broke out in Judea, and Pales-
tine was ravaged by friend and foe, each intent to defeat
and subdue the other. This war lasted twenty-five years.
Near the close of these civil disorders, Herod the
Great, a brave and successful general and statesman,
of great abilities, having obtained command of an
army, called in the aid of Mark Antony, the Eoman
triumvir, and by his help, with much struggling, bar-
barity and murder, placed himself upon the throne of
the kingdom. He assumed the reins of government,
which he held, with a strong and sanguinary hand,
for many years. Kear the close of his reign, Jesus
Christ was born. A report of it having been made in
the East, a number of devout and wealthy men came
to Jerusalem to pay him homage ; knowledge of which
having reached the ears of Herod, he summoned a
council and determined to put Christ to death. (Mat. 2.)
With this intent he craftily pretended a desire to
see a child who was an object of so much curiosity,
and promised to regard him with regal favor. Jesus
was then at Bethlehem. But his father, Joseph, learn-
ing the determination of Herod to murder his son,
removed from the country. Herod, suspecting a con-
spiracy was forming to supersede his authority in
Judea, and unable to ascertain where Jesus was
secreted, determined on the death of all the male
children in Bethlehem and its vicinity, from two years
old and under, hoping thus to destroy him among the
rest; or that, to save their own children, some of the
inhabitants would expose Jesus.

Infatuated with the love of power, and desirous of
leaving his crown to his family, Herod began now to
look with a jealous eye towards CA'ery one among his
subjects who was virtuous and respected ; and, giving
way to the infirmities of age and a naturally suspicious
temper, he caused many to be imprisoned and put to
death, for no other reason than that they were men of

124 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

fearless and upright minds. Thus, from policy or
hatred, his whole dominions were drenched with
innocent blood; nor was the country relieved from
such cruelties during the administration of his succes-
sors. Possessing his disposition, without his abilities,
they copied his vices. Men every where meditated
in secret on self-preservation, and, accordingly, armed
for defence ; danger suggested alliances, and rogues
as well as just men were banded together in clans and
parties, who severally turned their weapons against
each other, and the land was filled with banditti.

Public and private broils, assassination and blood-
shed, with all their attendant evils, cried for vengeance
upon a land reeking with such crimes. The temple
became by turns the theatre of murderous seditions
and religious worship. Amid these scenes of danger
and strife, John the Baptist commenced his reformation
of morals and religion. Possessing a mind capable of
the task he had undertaken, and a moral bravery de-
void of fear, bred and educated during the violence
of the times, and inured to hardships from his infancy,
he quailed beneath the frowns of no man. With un-
daunted boldness and great energy, he raised his
voice against the vices of his countrymen, and with
an unsparing hand, reproved alike the rich and the
poor, the mighty and the feeble. The pungency of
his discourses, and the purity of his doctrines and life,
soon rallied multitudes to his standard. Into them
he infused his own spirit and they went forth to make
converts.

John's conduct excited the suspicion and hatred
of the government. He was at first imprisoned,
and afterwards put to death. But his work did not
die with him. He had left it in the hands of a Mas-
ter, who exhibited a perfection of moral character,
which has from that day been a theme of speculation
and wonder, and an example for imitation to the
human race. John had, some time before his death.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 125

been joined in liis labors by Jesus Christ. Their
friendship was cordiah John saw his advancement
with unmingled dehght, and although John fell a
sacrifice to the cruel and relentless wickedness of his
government, in the strength of his days and in the
midst of his career of usefulness, he reflected with
pleasure on the success of his instructions ; and, when
he remembered that he had left his work in the hands
of Jesus Christ, a being in whom he placed impli-
cit confidence, his language was, " My joy is full."
(John 3.)

Jesus, as had been anticipated, carried on the work
of reformation with consummate wisdom. He con-
fined his labors to his native land, as John had done
before him, but eventually sent his disciples to all na-
tions (Mark 16). His fame and success excited the
envy of the Jews, who put him to death, and pursued
his disciples with a ferocity which death itself could
not appease. But nobly did those faithful men vindi-
cate the memory and the cause of their fallen compan-
ions. (See Acts.) Nor were they alone. The inani-
mate earth, the clouds, and the seasons, as if interested
in the struggle, began to indicate calamities and judg-
ments. (See Josephus.) God was in their cause, and
came down for the injured and the oppressed (a. d. 50),
although the consummation of his judgments was yet
delayed for twenty years. After the death of Herod
the Great, and before the preaching of John the Bap-
tist, the government of Judea underwent a complete
civil revolution. The Eomans (a. d. 20), who had
twice before entered Jerusalem, and profaned or robbed
the temple, now reduced the country to a Koman
province, and appointed over it governors answerable
to them for their authority, the exercise of their power,
and the success of their administrations.

Let us now compare this history with the emblems
of the text.

1st. The fifth seal is opened. The Eomans an-

126 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION.

nihilate the government of Judea, and annex that
country to their own. Here was a revolution in which
the local administration of the government was trans-
ferred to foreign hands, and, what is remarkable, it has
never been restored.

2d. The history of the times displays to us one of
the most animated and successful religious agitations
that have ever occurred.

3d. All this was manifestly foretold by the pro-
phets, whose writings and characters were so success-
fully vindicated by John, Jesus, and their disciples.
It was clearly foreseen (John 11 : 48, &c.), as a prelude
to the destruction of Jerusalem, which was eftected by
Titus Vespasian, that upon that city and nation should
come the days of vengeance, that all the righteous
blood previously shed upon the earth might be re-
quired at their hands. (Mat. 28 : 35.) But they were
yet spared, when ripe for retributive vengeance, only
that they might yet "kill, crucify, scourge, and perse-
cute" the "prophets, wise men, and scribes," that
should be sent unto them, until they should "fill up
the measure of their fathers."

The opening of this seal embraces a period of
nearly 100 years, from the civil wars, B. c. 60, to the
recall and banishment of Pontius Pilate under Cali-
gula, about A. D. 40.

Note. — Under all the preceding seals, the political
complexion of history predominates ; under this, reli-
gion is more visibly displaj^ed. Of the " altar,'''' re-
vealed as the hiding-place of the martyrs, we shall yet
have occasion to speak (ch. 8 : 4), in the prelude to the
trumpets. We may here remark that the location of
the altar, under the Mosaic dispensation, was the seat
of religious worship, and without its use the form of
worship was not complete.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 127

Verse 12. — And I beheld when he had' opened the sixth seal,
and lo, there was a great earthquake ; and the sun became black as
sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood:

Verse 13. — And the stars of heaven fell unto the^ earth, even
as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a
mighty wind.

Verse 14. — And the heavens departed as a scroll when it is
rolled together ; and every' mountain and island were moved oul;of
their places.

Verse 15. — And the kings of the earth, and the great men,
and the rich men, and^ the chief captains, and the mighty men, and
every bondman and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and
in the rocks of the mountains ;

Verse 16. — And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us,
and hide us from the facc^ of him that sitteth on the throne, and
from the wrath of the Lamb :

Verse 17. — For the great day of his wrath^ is come, and wlio
shall be* able to stand ?

I beheld luhen he had opened the sixth seal. We may
here premise that during the era of the sixth seal the
vision is two-fold, and the emblems, divided into two
parts, are precisely the opposite of each other. The
first part opens or breaks a seal, by which the political
aspect of a state is changed or revolutionized, and its
symbols are embraced in the latter part of the sixth
chapter from the twelfth to the seventeenth verse, in-
clusive. The last part of the vision embraces the
whole of the seventh chapter, and is the sealing or
setting up of a new government ; but the two parts
occur at the same time, about A. D. 40 to 70.

1 Isa. 13:9; Ezek. 2:7; Joel 2 : 10, 81 and 3 : 15 ; Amos 8:9; Hag.
2: 6; Mark 13: 24.

2 Ps. 102 : 26 ; Isa. 34 : 4 ; Mat. 24 : 29 ; Acts 2 : 20 ; Heb. 1 : 11 ; 2
Pet. 3 : 10.

3 Ps. 102: 27; Isa. 5: 25, and 34: 4; Jer. 4: 24; Heb. 1: 12;
Ch.l6: 20.

4 Ch. 18 : 9 ; Job 34 : 19 ; Ps. 2 : 10 ; Isa. 2:19; Mi. 7 : 17 ; Heb.
11: 38.

5 Ps. 2:9; Zech. 1 : 14 ; Hosea 10:3; Luke 23 : 20 ; ch. 9:6; 2
Thes. 1 : 7.

6 Ch. 6 : 10, 11 ; Ps. 130 : 3 ; Jer. 30 : 7 ; Joel 2 : 31 ; Zeph. 1 : 14;
Mai. 3 : 2.

» Who is able.

128 OUTLINES OF PllOPUETIC REVELATION.

Emblems of the Text. — Before entering upon tlie
interpretation of the emblems liere emploj-ed by the
sacred writer, I hope I shall so far have the indul-
gence of the friends of truth and of the Scriptures, as
not to be charged with a censorious spirit, if I make
some plain observations. Did the Author of the
Ravelation intend the book to be understood ? If he
did, how shall we understand it ? What guide have
we ? The language is allowed by all to be highly fig-
urative and emblematical. Shall we learn the mean-
ing of symbols and emblems by submission to fancy,
or by explaining the language as if it were literal, or
by ascertaining the interpretation of the symbols ? Un-
doubtedly by interpreting the symbols. And why
not? If God in his wisdom has spoken to us "by
multiplied visions, and used similitudes" (IIos. 12) "by
the ministry of the prophets," shall we not understand
him by considering (Acts. 11) and interpreting the
vision and explaining the similitudes ? Why have so
many commentators failed as to the Revelation, except
it be by that singular obliquity in the human judg-
ment which has led them to understand that as lit-
eral which they know and confess to be emblemati-
cal. • It was this pride of opinion, this force of educa-
tion, or bias of judgment, that led the ancient Phari-
sees, while they were ready to suffer mart3?'rdom for
the Word of God, to set aside that very Word for their
tradition. There are at present in the world various
sects or denominations, calling themselves Christian,
and each contending strenuously for the Bible as a
guide, and the "man of their council" in all matters
of religious faith, ceremonies, and practice, and yet
they differ as adversely in every question of doctrinal
belief, and of ecclesiastical rites and practices, as if
each had a Bible of his own, written expressly to con-
tradict the opinions of his brethren, and expose the
superstitions, absurdities, immoralities, and indecen-
cies of their particular styles of worship. If God is

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 129

oue, so is his Word — so ought to be the faith and
ceremonies of his worshippers. It may be asked,
Having the same foundation, why are they not united
together ? The only answer I can give is, that while
they hold the Word of God in their hand and in their
speech, in heart and ear they depart from the truth
and are turned to fables.

Let us now return to an explanation of the em-
blems of this seal.

The opened seal indicates a political aspect — a go-
vernment revolutionized.

The "earthquake" is a sudden shaking or con-
cussion of the earth, attended in some localities
with simultaneous opposite shocks producing gyratory
motions. In some places the earth opens and closes,
or heaves up and down like the waves of the ocean,
sweeping away the foundations of cities and moun-
tains, or ingulfing them in the earth, and sinking-
islands, or raising them from the depths of the sea
and are thus the most terrific of the works of
nature. Earthquakes, therefore, indicate that a long
settled state of things is suddenly disturbed, attended
with extensive changes, revolutions, danger, and deso-
lations. Isa. 34 : 4 ;" Joel 3 : 16 ; Haggai 2 : 6-7, &c.

The sun became hlach — was eclipsed. The usual
color of the sun is white. It is the great luminary
of the heavens, and, with the stars, the natural source
of light to the world ; but its light is withheld. It is
itself obscured. The sun is the symbol, 1st, of that
religion which enlightens the minds of men; 2d, of
the church, the organization which communicates the
knowledge of divine grace to the world.

The moon hecame as blood. The moon like a mirror,
reflecting the light of other luminous bodies, becomes
itself a light of secondary magnitude, and in the figu-
rative language of the text indicates, 1 st, that organi-
zation, wherever it may be, which does not produce or
irradiate, but reflects the light of true religion upon
6*

180 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

the eartli; 2(lly, the Jewish or Mosaic dispensation.
Blood indicates war, generally civil war.

Stars of heaven fell to the earth. Sta7\s set in the
heavens, are the emblems of church officers. (See ch.l :
20.) Falling to the earth, signifies that they forsook
the sphere of their relations to the church to mingle
in the political strife and discord of the earth. Again,
as the sun symbolizes the Christian dispensation, so
the moon indicates the Jewish types and the legal
dispensation. Stars are the leading men of both. Fall-
ing stars denote their sudden overthrow or apostacy.
The departing heavens are indicative of great changes
in the church, and are a prelude to the sudden and
unexpected death or obscurity of ecclesiastical officers,
together with great religious revulsions.

And the kings of the earthy great me?i, &c.^ hid.
This terror that seized the minds of men, shows that
they dreaded other calamities.

Mountains and islands are the emblems of the gov-
ernments of nations and states, or the municipalities of
cities, towns and ports.

Dens and rocks are the military fortresses and tow-
ers of a country or the walls and defences of cities.

The day of wrath ^ in this connection with Him that
sat upon the throne, and of the L amb, is apparently the
day of "judgment and vengeance, " promised after the
"little season" allotted to the souls of the martyrs
under the altar (ch. 6 : 11).

Let us review these symbols and ask at what epoch
of time, and in what countries, the leading govern-
ments of the world, and the local governments of cities,
are overturned by revolutions, alike dangerous to kings
and captains, bondmen and freemen — simultaneously
with which the church is obscured, a religious
dispensation abrogated and extinguished in a civil
war, and a new religious government set up by
"sealing the servants of God in their foreheads"
(ch. 7: 3).

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 131

History. — About a. d. 40, twenty years after Judea
had been reduced to a Roman province, the followers
of John and Jesus, uniting their efforts in a common
cause, proclaimed the advent of the Messiah in the per-
son of Jesus Christ, of whom John was but the " voice"
or forerunner, and preached faith in his name alone
(see Acts), as the only foundation for salvation and
eternal life, and his death the only sacrifice acceptable
to God for the sins of men. They organized their con-
verts and disciples into small independent republics or
churches, whose only officers were (ch. 1 : 20) in each a
plurality of bishops and deacons ; these to preside over
the temporal, those over the spiritual affairs of every
church (Acts 6 ; and 20 : 17 ; Titus 1:5; Phil. 1 : 1).
There were indeed other officers as evangelists, who
were the pastors or preachers in particular churches
(Acts 13: 1-2; 21: 8; Eph. 4: 11; 2 Tim. 4: 5),
or missionaries to propagate the Grospel Avhere it was
before unknown. But they possessed no power over
the independent societies they had form'ed, nor over
their persons (2 Cor. 10 : 8 ; 13 : 10) or estates
(compare Gen. 1 : 26, with Acts 5 : 41).

Thus separate religious bodies — independent of the
laws and authority of civil government, (Acts 4 : 19 ;
Rom. 13,) and of every external power or earthly sove-
reignty, in all matters of conscience or religion, but
acknowledging a common head in Jesus Christ who had
passed into the heavens, and whose laws alone were to
them the test of right and wrong and of religious hom-
age— arose at first in Judea, but soon spread throughout
the Roman dominions, Persia and iifrica, and among
the unknown tribes of distant nations. But among
these societies there was a strong bond of fellowship
in their faith and unity of worship, enabling the brother-
hood, though strangers, to pass with ease from one so-
ciety to the embrace, affection, and care of another.
All were thus bound together by a common sympathy ;
by the hopes and fears, the adventures and dangers,

132 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

of a common work. Persuaded of the truths they
preached, and stimulated to zeal both by opposition and
success, the Christians were pushing on their labors in
spite of the fitful violence of enraged and misguided
mobs, or the steady opposition of opposing govern-
ments, when the attention of the world was suddenly
arrested by other scenes. The Koman empire, having
by policy or arms won the respect or submission of
mankind, extended its authority by ambassadors, and
the Koman senate became the umpire of the contro-
versies of the nations, arbitrarily deciding the rights
of kings and the disposition of provinces and peoples.
The august majesty of these conscript fathers none
dared insult, and their decisions none dared disobey.
While thus enjoying homage and exercising unlimit-
ed power, the world was astounded with the report
(a. d. 60), about forty years after Judea was reduced to
a Koman Province, that the Jews, headed by seditious
leaders from . Idumea and Galilee, had revolted from
under the Koman yoke and set up a government of
their own. The - new government was established at
Jerusalem and controlled entirely by factions led on by
popular chiefs. A considerable number of cities and
villages countenanced the revolt, lent their aid, and
blending their political interests with those of the cap-
ital, made common cause against the Komans. The
factions all agreed to unite their forces in opposing the
Koman arms if the country should be invaded, which
they had every reason to expect ; but in nothing else
did they agree. They excited dicussions and riots
among themselves, and for simply a difference of opin-
ion deposed or put to death their leaders. — Josephiis.
Anarchy succeeded throughout the country. The wise
were destroyed from an envy of their wisdom ; the
good were murdered for their virtues, and the rich for
their property. Others fell to gratify malignit}^ and
revenge. All mutually destroyed the fruits of the
earth, and all kinds of merchandise and valuable fur-

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION. 138

niture, lest others should be benefited by them. The
government, which became by turns a military despot-
ism or riotous oligarchy, had no power to defend it-
self against treachery or force, much less to protect the
citizens, or preserve the peace. It had power only for
mischief, and the brief rule of public officers was often
suddenly and violently changed, by poison or assassi-
nation, to make room for others who fsU by similar
means. The government became as wicked and cor-
rupt as it was feeble ; it connived at violence and
flattered the vicious; armed banditti cut off their
victims in the streets at noon, or slew them upon their
beds in moments of repose at night. During these
scenes of public violence, the morals of the masses
became more and more corrupt ; most of the virtuous
men who, like stars, shone brighter because of the
surrounding darkness, were either killed, or driven to
places of greater security and usefulness. Divorces
became frequent, and thus by violence or choice families
were constantly ruptured or dissolved. Boys, without
protection or instruction, made wanton depredation
upon all property exposed to their reach. The poor
increased, and misery like the torments of hell was
heard in groans upon every side. There Avere a few,
notwithstanding, who remained among all these deso-
lations and dangers, and cared for God and his wor-
ship. Some of the followers of Jesus had the moral
courage to maintain their ground and protest against
the prevailing vices.

While these things were transpiring in Judea, a
darker cloud, if possible, was rising in the distant West,
to pour its fury on that ill-fated nation. The Romans
were preparing to invade the country with a powerful
arm}^, and soon invested it by sea and land ; and the
general, Cestus Gallus, every where victorious, soon
laid siege to the capital. The contending factions now
united their forces, and, strange to relate, by a vigor-
ous and well-conducted attack, defeated the Roman

134 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

army, compelled them to flee to the mountains for
safety, and there to act npon the defensive.

The Christians looked upon this as a signal for them
to leave the place ; and finding their labors useless
amid the violence of political and military strife —
holding it incompatible with their religion to join the
sanguinary conflicts of the time — in especial obedience
to the prophetic advice of Jesus, they removed in a
body from Jerusalem. Some of them settled in Pel-
la, in the mountains of Perea ; and others, spreading
themselves through the countries, preached the Gospel
to the nations.

The defeat of Gallus greatly surprised and exas-
perated the Romans ; but as if the vices of Judea had
been epidemic, with the news of his discomfiture, sedi-
tions, tumults, and revolutions overspread the empire.
Nero, then Emperor of Rome, in the course of the year
fell by the hand of his slave. Galba succeeded him,
and, after a reign of seven months, was killed in a pop-
ular tumult, together with his adopted son and col-
league in the government, Piso. To them Otho succeed-
ed, who, within a year's time, involved the empire in a
civil war w^ith Yitellius, and, being unsuccessful in
battle, fell upon his own sword and died. Yitellius, in
a few months, was publicly executed, and was succeeded
by Yespasian. These princes, by turns the sport of
fortune and the tyrants of the people, were raised to
the throne by the legions, who waded through blood
to place them there; then leaving them, joined their
enemies for their destruction. The fate of the leaders
determined the fate of their friends. Insubordination
and anarchy, revolts and conflicts, " wars and rumors
of wars, distress and perplexity of nations, the sea and
the waves roaring " at home and abroad, in and out
of the empire, mark the crises of the times, and stain
the pages of cotemporary history.

[a. d. 60 to 70. The Britons form a league to re-
cover their independence, and in the absence of Sue-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. lib

tonias Paulinas, take up arms against the Komans.
Boadicea' defeats the Komans and kills 70,000 men,
but on the return of Suetonius, the Britons are de-
feated with the loss of 80,000. A great earthquake in
Campania destroys a vast part of Pompeii and Hercu-
laneum, and Laodicea, &c., in Asia, and various plagues
add to the general horrors. About this time the Parthi-
ans are defeated by the Romans ; and Piridates, the
king, lays, at the foot of Nero's statue, his crown, which
is soon after restored — civil war is in Syria, between the
Jews and Syrians — Samaritans revolt against the
Romans — Germany revolts against the Romans ; and
soon after, the Batavians in Gaul, under Civilis, revolt
and defeat the Romans in two great victories. The
Germans now crossed the Rhine, and the Scj^thians
the Danube. Syria was threatened by the Parthians ;
Avhile at Rome, the capitol was consumed amid the
terrors of a turbulent sedition. Every street and hall
of justice was polluted with bloodshed, by the violence
of the soldiery and the populace, and Nero projected
the destruction of the whole senate by poison. Africa,
the usual source of natural and moral pestilence, shared
with Asia and Europe in the conflicts of the age.]

But to return. After the defeat of Gallus, and be-
fore the death of Nero, that prince sent Vespasian with
another army to carry on the war in Judea. He
commenced the reduction of the country, in detail, and
not only received the submission of all the cities in his
course, but sacked them, murdered their troops
taken prisoners, together with many thousands of their
inhabitants, demolished their defences, placed cen-
turions with Roman garrisons to govern them, and
proceeded to Jerusalem. But being unexpectedly
elected emperor, he was recalled to Rome, and left the
army in command of his son Titus, with orders to
complete the reduction of the country. Titus was a
young man of little experience or credit. The Jews
mistaking, therefore, this change as a providential in-

136 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

terposition in their favor, every where revolted against
the Eoman governors ; attacked and cut to pieces their
garrisons, murdered the soldiers taken prisoners, and
closely watched their movements. Guerillas hung
upon the skirts of Titus, and seized and destroyed his
supplies, while the masses fortified their capital and made
active and unwearied preparations for continuing the
war. They were zealously encouraged to hold out in
resistance, by religious pretenders, who promised them
certain deliverance and success. Titus soon proved
himself a general of consummate abilities, and equal
to every emergency. In the field he met the Jewish
armies and drove them to their strong-holds, which he
took by storm; and slaughter and vengeance every
where attended his progress. Nor were the Jews
idle. Lashed to madness by religious enthusiasm,
thirsting for revenge, and trained to scenes of carnage,
they exhibited feats of personal bravery and prowess
never excelled. Standino^ between the dao'e'er of the
assassin at home, and the sword of the enemy abroad,
they rushed upon danger with a reckless indifference
of life, and persevered with an unconquerable mind.
Defeat aroused them to a desperate spirit of resistance,
which nothing but death could subdue. But the
powers of Eome were too much for the resources of
Judea. Perhaps Titus was never excelled in the saga-
city of his plans, the celeritj^ of his marches, or the
impetuosity of his attacks. He overcame his oppo-
nents ill the field, laid waste the country, drove all
parties from shelter to shelter, and starved them in their
lurking-places. But vast multitudes flocked to the
defence of their capital, and to pay their devotions at
the temple, where they blindly and vainly hoped that
Jehovah would yet interpose to save them from the
sword of Titus and the devouring eagles of Eome.

The country being subjugated, Titus made prepara-
tion to attack the capital. The whole army was
collected together, and the cit}^ invested on every

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 137

side. A trench of circumvallation was dug around
the city, and guards phxced at intervals of short
distances, who seized and crucified thousands of pris-
oners, taken while attempting to escape. After a
siege of two years, when every other means had been
tried and exhausted, and every form of attack had
been repelled, having suffered incredible hardships
and losses, as a last resort preparation was made for
battering down the mountain walls that inclosed the
city. Battering-rams Avere erected, and the most vig-
orous exertions made ; neither life nor riches were
spared in the all-absorbing desire of conquest. (See
Josephus, (fcc.)

"Within the cit}", the temple was made the head-
quarters of the fierce and seditious zealots, who made
frequent and deadly sallies upon each other, even while
Titus was encamped about the walls, and every part of
the sacred pile was stained with human gore. The
outer wall was broken, and Titus entered.

Let us now compare this history with the emblems
of the text.

1st. The opened seal. The Jews change their form
of government, and aided by Galilean and Idumean
chiefs, revolt against the Eomans.

2d. A great ear tliquahe — a great commotion through-
out the leading commercial and warlike nations, con-
sequent upon the revolt of the Jews and the defeat of
Gallus.

3d. The sun and moon, black and bloody : the eccle-
siastical and civil powers of Judea are drenched in
civil wars, and trampled under foot.

4th. The stars fall, kc. The principal men of both
the Jewish and Christian churches are suddenly sus-
pended in their functions, superseded, or j[)all by the
sword, and apostacies become common in the church.
(See chs. 2 and 3.)

XoTE.' — It was during the period of this seal that
most if not all of the apostles died, generally by

138 OUTLINES OF FKOPHETIC REVELATION.

violence, and with them the brightest lights of the in-
fant church.

5th. Tlie heavens depart as a scroll^ &c. All true
religion is obscured or disregarded in the commotions
of the times; the pious forsake Jerusalem, and the
last great oblation is offered upon the Mosaic altar, in
the blood of the slaughtered thousands who perished
within the walls of the temple and the city, and the
legal service becomes for ever extinct.

6th. The mountains and islands are moved. The gov-
ernments of the Eoman empire, the cities and towns of
Judea, and other parts of the world are, as if by con-
cert, destroyed or overturned.

7th. The kings of the earthy &c. The powers of
Rome and of the earth — i. e., the kingdoms of the earth
— and the men in official stations and their slaves, are
equally endangered in the fearful turbulence and ter-
ror which ensue.

8th. And said to the mountains^ Fall on us^ &c. See
Mat. 24: 29; also Mark 13 : 24; Luke 21: 22 ; 23 :
30, where this same language is applied to the destruc-
tion of Jerusalem. See also the references.

Here, then, the Roman invasion, following with
Death (v. 8), changes the civil state of the Jews; and
the great events that hang on and press forward in
rapid haste, portend the uprooting of their religion
and the desolation of the capital which is to fall under
the seventh seal. (See ch. 8:1.) The sword is un-
sheathed; the arm, upraised to strike the blow, is
descending with the stroke, when the eye of the reve-
lator is attracted to other objects, and the end is de-
ferred.

The opening of this seal embraces a period of from
twenty to thirty years, during the lifetime of John,
the writer of the Revelation, and occupying the most
active part of his ministry, from a. d. 40 to 70, and
could be said to be of "the things which are" in the
command, ch. 1 : 19. It was during this time the new

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 139

government (or sealing) was commenced and establish-
ed, of wliicli a description is given in the next chapter.

CHAPTER Yll.

1. Four Angels holding the Four Winds. — 2. Angel arises to
SEAL God's Servants. — 4. The number of them that are

SEALED OF THE TrIBES OF ISRAEL.

Verse L — And after those things I saw four^ angels standmg on
the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth,
that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on
any tree.

Verse 2. — And I saw another angel ascending^ from the east,*
having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice
to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the
sea,

Verse 3. — Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the
trees, till we have sealed the serviints of our God in their fore-
heads.^

After the revelator had carried the ]3olitical history
of Palestine down to about a. d. 70, the vision returns
to mark some religious events which occurred prior
to that time. I say religions, because we are accus-
tomed to hear them spoken of in that light, although
the Scriptures here and elsewhere speak of them in
the nature of a "kingdom," a " government," a " domin-
ion," a "nation," " bearing rule," &c. (Isa. 9:7; Dan.
2 : 44; Micah 4:7; Luke 1 : 32, &c.) This is ushered
in by the preaching of John, Jesus, and the apostles,
and the "voices" of the redeemed, saying, "Salvation

1 Ch. U : 1 ; ch. 9 : 14; Jer. 51 : 1, and 49 : 36, 37 ; Dan. 7 : 2, 3.

2 Ch. 10:1; Deu. 5 : 26 ; 2 Kings 19 : 4; Ch. 8 : 6 ; Mat. 26 : 63 ; Eph.
1: 13- Heb. 12: 22.

^ From th? rising s>un.

3 Eze. 9:4; ch. 6 : 6, 9 : 4 ; 14: 1.

140 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC EEVELATION.

to [or by] our God avIio sittetli upon the throne, and
[bj] to the Lamb."

Emblems and HiSTOPtY of the Text. — Angels. See
ch. 1 : 1. Earth, ch. 5 : 10.

Winds are the emblems of pohtical sentiments, re-
ligious doctrines, philosophy, and learning (Eph. 4 : 14 ;
Heb. 13 : 9 ; Ja. 1 : 6). The raging of the winds, the
violence of the waves, and the madness of the people,
have long been considered as alike. Stormy winds de-
note danger ; a calm is a time of peace.

Four corners of the earth are understood to mean,
the four nations about Judea which came up instead
of the great horn of the goat which was broken off
(Dan. 8 : 21), over one of which Death held control
(ch. 6 : 8). And these four were : Macedon, including
Greece on the west ; Thrace, including Bithynia, with
indefinite boundaries in Asia Minor, on the north ; on
the east, Syria, including Media and Palestine, and
extending into Lesser Asia ; and Egypt on the south.
These were all in the vicinity of Jerusalem, or held
commercial intercourse with it, and a rupture in any
might unfavorably affect the worshijDpers of Jehovah
in that part of the world, which was yet the visible seat
of his religion, or involve the whole in a general war.
But — as the principal causes — from mutual jealousies,
exhaustion, or fear of the growing importance of the
Eomans, who had for nearly a century interfered with
the politics of the country, and recently changed it to
a proconsulate, Judea enjoyed comparative external
quiet, although seditious and corrupt at home. Those
nations, then, were the four angels, servants or mes-
sengers, who had control of the winds.

Sea — the emblem of peoples of different languages,
or a variety of nations (ch. 4:6; and 17 : 15).

Another angel ascended from the East. Another
power arose in the eastern or Syro-Median government,
" having the seal of the living God." Seals are the
emblems of civil power (ch. 5 : 1). This therefore loas

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 141

the kingdom of Ood which had God^s seal. — To seal a
thing, and to open it, are clearly distinguishable. By
opening a seal a kingdom is overturned, or a power
or prohibition is removed ; but by this sealing, a king-
dom, is set "up. This angel or power had the seal of
the living God ; it was therefore in God's name, by
his authority, and under his direction, that this new
kingdom was set up. It Avas with God's approbation
that this work was done. By this sealing his ser-
vants were established in the order and with the regu-
lations of a government for God's service, if indeed
they did not by it become his servants. John the
Baptist was the first great actor in rearing this gov-
ernment or kingdom of the living God. He opened
or prepared the way, and the kingdom was fully set
up, ordered and regulated, before Titus Yespasian
entered with his army Avithin the precincts of Jerusa-
lem (see 1st part of 6th seal). This government of the
living God arose in Judea, now a part of the eastern
division of the four great kingdoms. It arose in a
time of peace, Avhen the four kingdoms of Macedon,
Thrace, Syria, and Egypt, were hushed to repose from
war, and a profound tranquillity rested upon them all.
Here we see "the stone cut out of the mountain," or a
small and feeble power arising out of one which had
before been large and mighty.

Should not blow on any tree. Trees are the emblems
of men. Green trees symbolize good men ; dry trees.,
evil men (Isa. 2 : 13 ; Dan. 4 ; Zedi. 11 : 1-2).

The command is, " Hurt not the earth, &c., until
we have sealed the servants of our God." Here the
plural pronouns, we and our, used for the angel that
had the seal, comprehends a plurality in unity (ch. 1 :
7, (fee.,) and indicates that it was not the Avork of one
individual alone, but of many acting with a mutual
understanding in the same design. This was precisely
the state of things with regard to John, who began
(Mark 1) the preaching of the Gospel, and Avas soon

142 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

assisted hy his disciples, followed by Jesus and his dis-
ciples, acting as if by concert in perfect harmony.

Were sealed in their foreheads. Forehead is the em-
blem of openness or publicity, and is the opposite of
privacy or secrecy.

Those who were sealed were so distinguished as to
be publicly known. They were henceforth the open
servants of God, and lived for him.

Verse 4. — And I heard the number of them which were seal-
ed : and there were sealed a' hundred and forty and four thousand
of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

This is possibly the real number of the "tribes"
who believed the Gospel before the dispersion, or it
may be the "first-fruits" (ch. 14) of the redeemed.

Of all the tribes. After the separation (ch. 6:2) of
the "ten tribes" under Jeroboam, many repaired to
the land of Judah, from all the tribes, being dissatis-
fied with the change of religion. Again, during the
reign of Hezekiah, a similar change was effected. But,
although in the public estimation they thus lost the
distinction of tribes, yet, in the genealogical registers,
many preserved it. Joseph and Mary were of Judah
(Luke 3) ; Zachariah, of Levi (Luke 1) ; Phanuel, of
Asher (Luke 2 : 36); Paul, of Benjamin, &c. (Phil. 3 : 5).

Descent was reckoned in the line of the father, not
of the mother; and whether individuals, in their end-
less catalogues, mistook their tribes, or from interest
misled others, they must for ever be known in the
mind of God. In Judea and the adjacent countries
where the Gospel was preached, a sufficient number of
each of the twelve tribes might have been found, from
among which twelve thousand might have embraced
the truth before A. D. 70, and made up the literal
number of one hundred and forty -four thousand as
stated in the text ; or this definite number may be put
for a large indefinite one.

1 Ge. 15 : 5 ; ' Eze. 47 : 13 ; Zech. 9:1; Mat. 19 : 28 ; Luke 22 : 30 ;
Acts 26: 7: Ja. 1 : 1.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 143

Verse 5. — Of the tribe of Juda were sealed' twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe
of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

Verse 6. — Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve^ thousand.
Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the
tribe of ^lanasses were sealed twelve thousand.

Verse 7. — Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thou-
sand. Of the tribe of Levi were^ sealed twelve thousand. Of the
tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

Verse 8. — Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed^ twelve thou-
sand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of
the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

In the foregoing catalogue, Dan is not ennmer-
ated, but Manasses is substituted for him ; for they
were sealed from " all " the tribes of Israel, and Joseph
is named, from whom Manasses descended. Nor are
the tribes reckoned in this order in any other part of
Scripture.

Verse 9. — After this I beheld, and lo, a great^ multitude which
no man could number, and of all nations, and kindreds,* and peo-
ple, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb,
clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands :

Verse 10. — And cried with a loud voice, saying. Salvation to
[or by] our God which^ sitteth upon the throne and [by] unto the
Lamb. (See verses 13, 17.)

When Israel had passed in review, John looked
towards the throne and beheld a great multitude, re-
presented not as sealed, but as saved, and ascribing
their salvation to God and the Lamb.

Emblems of the Text. — White robes. See ch.
8 : 5, and 6 : 8.

1 Ex. 1 : 2 ; Num. 1 : 4 ; 1 Chr. 2:1.

2 Gen. 10 : 11 ; Den. 33 : 24 ; Josh. 21 : 6 ; Jnd. 7 : 23 ; 2 Chr. 30 :
11 ; Luke 2 : 36.

3 Gen. 29 : 33 ; 30 : 18 ; Gen. 49 : 5 ; Jud. 1 : 3 ; 2 Chr. 30 : 18 ; Ps.
135 : 20 ; Mai. 3:8; Heb. 7 : 9.

* Gen. 30 : 20, 25 ; Mat. 4:13; Gen. 35 : 18 ; Acts 7:9: Kom. 11:1;
Heb. 11 : 21.

5 Lev. 23 : 40 ; Ps. 92 : 12 ; John 12 : 13 ; Ch. 3 : 5, 18 ; 6 : 11 ; 7 : 14.
"^ Or tribes.

6 Ps. 3 : 9 ; Isa. 43 : 11 ; Jer. 3 : 23 ; Rosea 18 : 4 ; ch. 5 : 13 ; 19:1.

144 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Throne. See cli. 4 : 2, &c.

Palms in their hands. Palms are the emblems of
joy, iiprightness, fruitfulness, and victory.

Of all nations^ &c. The kingdom of God was set
up on earth and his throne was in the midst of it, and
the sea of nations was before it ; Jesus stood above
them and the elders surrounded them (ch. 4 and 5).
All these emblems, then, drawn from the invisible
and natural world, are but emblems of the church on
earth with her protector and friends, and her struggles
with Satan and his abettors. Death, Hell, and those
that followed with them. But the church is rej)re-
sented in the vision as having passed through her
conflicts, and now triumphant in heaven. (See verses
18, 17.)

Loud voice. (See ch. 4 : 2, and 6 : 10.) Voices are
the symbols of those religious discussions, political
controversies, and debates, so frequent in the days of
Jesus and his followers.

Verse 11. — And all the angels stood around' about the throne,
and about the elders and the four beasts/'' and fell before the
throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

Verse 12. — Sayinof, Amen : Blessing, and glory, and wisdom,
and thanksgiving, and*^ honor, and power, and might, be unto our
God for ever and ever. Amen.

Emblems of the Text. — Throne. (See ch. 4 : 2.)
It seems here put for the kingdom of God on earth.

Elders (see ch. 5 : 10) seem here to be put instead
of re-enumerating the sealed of the tribes and the re-
deemed of the nations, and may be emblematical of
the true worshippers of God under the two dispensa-
tions of sacrificial or typical and the true or spiritual
worshippers. That is, they are emblematical of those
who worship Jehovah both before and after the Chris-
tian era.

1 Ps. 45 : 11 ; 103 : 20 ; Mat. 4 : 10 ; John 5 : 23 ; Heh. 1 : 6.
=1 Four beings.

2 Ne. 12 : 8 ; Ps. 41 : 13 ; Isa. 51 : 3 ; Jer. 83 : 9 ; John 2 : 9 ; 2 Co. 9 :
11 ; Col. 2 : 7.

L

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC EEVELATION. 145

Beasts. (See ch. 5 : 9, 10.) But the above obser-
vations include all the worshippers of God on earth,
and still the four beasts are not reckoned among them.
Do not the elders symbolize the redeemed from the
tribes of Israel both before and after Christ, and the
four beasts symbolize the redeemed from the rest of
the world during the four epochs into which Biblical
history seems to divide the world, viz., from Adam to
Moses, from Moses to Christ, from Christ to the mil-
lennium, and from the millennium to the end of the
world ? This seems to me to be the true interpreta-
tion of these symbols. Then the representation of the
throne would be above and upon the sea (ch. 4), and
governing the people of the nations. The four sera-
phim occupy the four sides or quadrants of the
throne, and the four-and-twenty elders are seated upon
thrones, placed in a circuit, round about the throne
and the four beasts ; and the angels stand about them,
and worship God, who sits upon the throne and rules
over all.

Verse 13. — And one of the ekiei'.s» answered, saying' unto me,
What are these which are arrayed in white robes ? and whence
came they ?

Verse 14. — And I said unto him. Sir. thou knowest. And he
said unto me, These are they'^ which'' came out of great tribula-
tion, and liave washed their robes, and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb,

Verse 15. — Therefore are they before the throne^ of Gorl, and
serve him day and night in his temple : and he that sitteth on the
throne shall dwell among tliem.

Verse 16. — They shall hunger no more, neither* thirst any
more : neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

Verse 17. — For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne

°- Presbyters.

1 Lev. 33 : 40 ; John 12 : 13 ; ch. 4 : 4, and 5:11.

2 Isa. 1:18; Zech. 3:3; Heb. 9 : 14 ; 1 John 1:7; ch. 1
b Or wlio.

3 Isa. 4: 5, 8; eh. 21: 3.

4 Ps. 121 : 6 ; Isa. 49 : 10 ; Mat. 5:6; John 4 : S.

146 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

shall feed them, and shall' lead them unto living fountains of wa-
ters : and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

The second part of the sixth seal is of so much im-
portance, that to prevent any misunderstanding rela-
tive to it, a literal explanation of the emblems in
verses 9th and 10th are here given. It would not ap-
pear strange to John that the thousands of Israel were
sealed to God, but here was a vast company from un-
known and Gentile nations, not enumerated in the
tribes of Jacob. Whence came they? or what does
the emblem signify ? The elder, one of the twenty-
four, impersonating the redeemed of Israel, repHes,
" These are also redeemed by the same blood that
hath saved us, and here, before the throne, they wor-
ship in the same temple with us."

The saints are represented in their triumphant
state, not to conceal their origin or former conflicts,
but, by an explanation of their previous disadvantages,
to extol their virtues, illustrate their characters, and
fortify the minds of those who should come after
them against depression and fear. Calamities and
tribulations have been the common lot of the saints in
the world; peril, and hunger, and labor, and tears,
have, in all ages, with few exceptions, been the re-
wards of the righteous in this life. But in the hea-
venly state, they no longer eat bread by the "sweat of
their face," but the Lamb feedeth them, and God shall
dwell among them and wipe away all tears from their
eyes.

Emblems of the Text. — White robes. See ch.
3:5.

Hunger and thirst are the symbols of afflictions and
cares.

Sun^ the emblem of the church. To light upon
them is to awaken them, and sunlight or the morning
is the precursor of toil.

' Ps. 20 : 1 ; 36 : 8 ; Isa. 25 : 8 ; -lohn 10 : 11 ; ch. 5 : 6 ; 21 : 4.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 147

Heat of summer, is the season of cultivation and
harvest, the time of spiritual tribulation (see also
"fire," eh. 4 : 5), and the season of probation and pre-
paration for our eternal reward (Jer. 8 : 20).

Fountain of ivater — emblem of joy, the spirit or
philosophy of a thing, doctrines or principles of
truth.

Tears are the emblems of sorrow and the compan-
ions of grief.

The duration of this seal, reckoning from the com-
mencement of John the Baptist's ministry, A. D. 30, to
the revolt of the Jews against the Eomans, A. D. 64,
was 34 years.

Verse 1. — And when he had opened the seventh' seal, there
was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

All the other seals had been attended with em-
blematic representations, voices, thundering, or music;
the demonstrations of the seventh seal were received
with profound silence. Silence conveys to us the sig-
nificant signs of entire desolation, sorrow, extermina-
tion, or repose (Lam. 1 : 1). No expression could have
been more awful, no illustration more profound. A
moment before (ch. 7 : 10) we were contemplating the
public and magnificent scene of ten thousand times
ten thousand and thousands of thousands of angels,
uniting their voices with the thousands of the tribes of
Israel, and a great number which no man could
number, of all nations and kindreds, people and
tongues, in high and joyful strains of praise to God
and the Lamb. But, as if dismayed by some unto-
ward event, some strange catastrophe, a long, a solemn
stillness pervades these countless myriads, and, as if
enchained in thoughtful wonder, they cease their songs ;
their golden harps are still ; a sublime silence palsies

1 Isa. 15:1; Jer. 7 . 34 ; Lam. 1 : 1.

148 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

every hand, sits on every lip, and fills for half an
hour the vaults of heaven.

Emblems of the Text. — A seal is broken — a na-
tion is overthrown.

Silence ensues — a nation is exterminated.

The silence is felt in heaven. The religion of Jeho-
vah seems to be destroyed with the falling kingdom.

History. — Titus, the Roman general, having sur-
rounded the city of Jerusalem, fortified his camp. The
city was encompassed by three strong walls of stone,
of great thickness and height, defended by soldiers,
stationed in lofty and strong towers, at convenient dis-
tances. A parapet, upon the outer edge of the wall,
defended those passing from one tower to another.
From these they shot arrows, darts, stones, and other
missiles upon the enemy. Titus reared a shelter for
his sentinels and the soldiers employed in the siege, and
proceeded to batter down the walls. The Jews obsti-
nately repelled every attack; they sallied from the
city, and, sword in hand, several times drove the Ro-
mans from their works. These encounters were fierce
and deadly in the extreme ; whole ranks were slaugh-
tered on both sides, and those taken prisoners were
treated with the most revolting barbarities and indig-
nities. But a breach was at length made in the outer
wall, and those who escaped the sword retired within
the second inclosure. The second and third at last
fell; fire and sword, pestilence and famine, all con-
spired to bring the city down into the dust. God had
avenged the blood of the martyrs on them that dwelt
upon the earth.

Half an hour. (See ch. 2 : 10.) This is the only
distinct intimation of prophetic time in any of the
seals, and is prophetic of a week of common time.
This is one evidence, and to me conclusive, that this
part of the Revelation was written before the destruc-
tion of Jerusalem. As to its fulfilment, it is recorded
by historians that "after the slaughter of the inhabit-

OUTLINES OF PKOPIIETIC REVELATION. 149

ants of the cit}', soldiers were stationed about its en-
virons [for about a week's time ?] and slew every one
who attempted to pass their lines or venture among
the ruins." — JosejDhus, Wars, B. 7.

IIow does this compare with the emblem of the
text ? A seal is broken and silence ensues. The He-
brew nation is exterminated, and the visible seat of
religion being destroyed by idolaters, religion itself
seems suspended on earth. For a week no one ven-
tures among the ruins, or visits its ancient abode.

Reflections. — This is the last of the seals. From
the time the first was opened, they grew shorter and
shorter to the close.

On the opening of the first seal, the religion of Je-
hovah was set up in a visible form, surrounded with a
temporal, earthly government. On the opening of the
sixth seal, we saw a stone cut out of this mountain,
which is to become a great mountain and fill the whole
earth. On the opening of the seventh seal, the old
government is obliterated, but we are yet to follow the
track of this stone as it rolls onward to its destiny.
And the time is at hand wdaen its velocity and might
are to conquer or crush the inhabitants of the earth.

Note. — Josephus says, B. 5, c. 9, that Jerusalem
was taken in the second year of the reign of Vespa-
sian, ^t had been taken six times before, but this was
the second time it was destroyed. It is supposed to
have been built by Melchizedek (who was a king of
his people, the Canaanites, and a priest of Jehovah),
who is said, by tradition, to have built a temple there,
A. M. 1897; B. c. 2107. The Canaanites were ejected
from the city by David, A. M. 2895 ; B. c. 1109. The
Babylonians took the city and destroyed it 477 years
and six months after it was taken by David, and 1468
years after it was built. It was rebuilt by Haggai, in
the reign of Cyrus of Persia, and taken by Shishak,
king of Egypt."^ After him Antiochus Epiphanes, then

* But Shishak, of the race of Egyptian kings, seems to have taken
tlie city in the reign of Rehoboam, son of Solomon. 2 Chron. 12.

150 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

Pompey, then Sosias and Herod took the city, but still
preserved it ; and last, Titus, wlio again destroyed it,
since which time it has been trodden down of the
Gentiles. The time from David to its fall by Titus, is
1179 years. From its first building to this desolation,
2177 years. In B. 6, c. 4, Josephus reckons from the
foundation of Solomon's temple to the destruction by
Titus, 1130 years, 7 months, 15 days : and from the
second building by Haggai, Cyrus's second year, 639
years, 45 days.

But between some of the dates here and those
used in the common era, and which I have copied in
ch. 6, there is a variance of 43 years. See also note
ch. 12 : 5.

CHAPTER VIII.

COMMENCING VERSE SECOND.

2. Seven Angels have Seven Trumpets given them. — 4. Four
Angels sound their Trumpets and great Evils follow,

&-C., &c.

Introduction. — The Lord Jehovah had, on the
opening of the first seal (ch. 6 : 1), established his wor-
ship in a visible form in Palestine. This worship con-
sisted in mysterious emblems and sacrifices, protected
by a national government, and continued to be ac-
knowledged and protected by God in that form, un-
less during the Babylonish captivity, until during the
time of the sixth seal (ch. 6 : 12), when he changed
the form of his kingdom, by purging away the sa-
crifices, severing' its political relations, and giving it a
more spiritual, select and consecrated character. But
God's kingdom, notwithstanding the differences of

OUTLINES OF FKOPHETIC REVELATION. 151

administration, continued tlie same. We have seen
the influence of assauks from earthly and competing
governments against the organization of the church
under that dispensation. We are to consider now the
assauhs of false religions upon the true church, and
their efforts to establish themselves, either in opposition
to Jehovah himself, or as rivals to his worshippers.

The leading emblems of these great religious efforts
and conflicts are trumpets. The revelations of this
vision commence with verse 2d of the eighth chapter,
and occupy the remainder of this chapter, together
with the ninth and tenth, and to the 18th verse of the
eleventh chapter.

The time embraced in the history of the lirst six
trumpets is about 2500 years ; and the 7th trumpet
embraces a period, including the millennium, of more
than a thousand more.

Whether the vision of trumpets followed imme-
diately after that of the seals is not mentioned by the
revelator.

Verse 2. — And I saw the seven angels which stood before
God, and to them were given seven trumpets.^

Saw the Seven Angels. Of these seven angels we
have this description :

1st. Ch. 1 : 4. Seven spirits are mentioned.

2d. Ch. 1 : 14. One like unto the Son of Man is
described with eyes as a flame of fire.

3d. Ch. 4 : o. There are seven lamps before the
throne, which are the seven spirits of God.

4th. Ch. 5 : 6. The Lamb has seven e}' es, which
are the seven spirits of God.

5th. In this place they are presented before us as
the seven angels which stood before God. In the cir-
cumstantial description of heaven in chapters 4th and
5th, when the door was opened in heaven, nothing is

' Mat. 8: 10; Luke 1 : 19.

152 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC KEVELATION.

said of any angels standing any where near the throne,
or before the throne, or within the area of the elders'
seats or the circle of the redeemed (ch. 5 : 11; ch. 7 :
11). But these are here presented as now standing
before God. This variety of description leads us to
remark, what has been before suggested, that the Ke-
velation was not the work of a single day, or a con-
tinuous vision, but was made at various times. When
any vision was presented, it did not flash at once upon
the eyes and mind of John, but opened gradually, dis-
playing a clear and full map of such things as it was
designed he should narrate, leaving the margin or
border bounded by a mere sketch or outline of such
things as might afterwards be explained, or of such as
had been before presented. In this it resembled those
views presented to the eye in the observation from the
summit of some hill. Those objects nearest to us are
clear and distinct, but as they recede in the distance
they become confused and blended, until they lose
their symmetry of organization, and at length entirely
fade from the sight; but if we travel on, the objects
behind vanish from the view, while those before and
around us wear the semblance of reality. So here,
these angels are at first indistinctly seen as eyes (ch.
5 : 6, and 4 : 8), then to show them distinct creatures
they appear as lamps of fire, and now they appear as
angels standing before God. Gabriel, who appeared
to Zacharias (Luke 1 : 19), said he was one of them
(see Angel, ch. 1 : 1)

Trumpets. The emblems of religious conflict and
alarm (ch. 4 : 2).

Verse 3. — And nnother angel came and' stood at the altar,
having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much in-
cense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon
the golden altar which was before the throne.

1 C]i. 5 : 8. and 6:9; and 9 : 13, and 14 : 18,

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 153

Verse 4.— And the smoke of the incense, which came with the
prayers of the saints/ ascended up before God out of the angel's
hand.

Emblems. — (See v. 5.)

The four seraphim and the four-and-twenty pres-
byters were kings and priests to God (ch. 5: 10), and
they had the odors of the golden vials, which were the
prayers of the saints (ch. 5:8); but an angel came
and stood at the altar, near which John had seen the
souls of them that had been beheaded (ch. 6 : 9), and
having obtained the prayers of the saints, and much
incense having been given him that he should offer it
with the prayers upon the altar, he offered them from
the censer which he held in his hand. Whence this
angel came, or by what authority he officiated as priest
in an irregular worship, is not stated.

Altars were used in religious worship from the
earliest times. Under the ceremonial of the Mosaic
institution they were of two kinds, one for burnt-offer-
ings and the other for incense. The incense was to be
burnt upon the altar of incense night and morning
(Ex. 30), with the exception of the time of the sacrifice
of the goat for a sin-offering, once a year, when the
high- priest Avent into the holy of holies (Lev. 16).
At that time he took coals of fire from the golden
altar, put them into the censer and the incense
thereon, burning it in the most holy place, before the
mercy-seat. The conduct of this angel was precisely
the reverse. He took the censer and burnt the incense
in the censer, as was the case of Nadab and Abihu
(Lev. 10), but the smoke of the incense ascended out
of his hand, and not from the altar, as was the pre-
scribed custom under the law,* and the intention here.
This was indeed a religious act, but the service was
irregular, and seems to have been the precursor of
idolatry ; as all irregularities, in the positive forms and

» Ex. 30 : 1 ; Ps. 14 ; 2 ; Luke 1 : 10 ; eh. 15 : 8.

7-^

154 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

ceremonies of religious worship, tend directly to heresy
and apostacy, and invite npon the careless and erring-
worshippers the judgments of Heaven, because it is
wrong to break the least command, or deviate from
the will of Jehovah. (See ch. 2 : 7.) See also Numbers
16, 17, 18, 35 ; 2 Chr. 26 : 19 ; Eze. 8 : 11.

Verse 5. — And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire
of the' altar, and cast it into tlie earth : and there were voices, and
thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

Emblems of the Text (from v. 3-5). — Ad gel See
ch. 1 : 1.

Altar (v. 3), Gr. ^vcrLaarijpiov. It is said that the
Scriptures, by using this word, every where make a
distinction between the altars of Jehovah and the
/ScofjiOL (altars) of the heathen. Besides its connection
with ancient religious worship and modern idolatry,
altar is the symbol of safety or refuge.

Censer. The symbol of a remembrancer, sign or
memorial of feelings. (See ch. 5:8.)

Incense. The emblem of favor, acceptance, or de-
votion.

Smoke. The emblem of obscurity, confusion and
error, vanity, anger, judgments, &;c., and is much
varied.

Fire. The emblem of (ch. 4 : 5) pestilence and
plagues.

Voices. The emblem of debates and warlike proc-
lamations.

Thunderings and lig] linings (ch. 4: 5). Emblems of
wars and invasions.

Earthquake, The emblem of sudden changes and
desolations, and is a prelude to the shaking and dis-
turbance of empires.

Earth. The symbol of worldly governments and
human authorities.

' Ch. 11 : ?, 19, and 16 : IS ; Lev. 16 : 12.

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION. 155

That the foregoing terms are all emblematical, is
evident from the whole connection in which they
stand. The text is a figurative description of irregular
and unauthorized worship being infused into earthly
governments and human institutions, creating sudden
changes, hostile and belligerent commotions, confusion,
errors, and plagues.

The angel took his censer, filled it with fire from
the golden altar of incense, and cast it upon the earth,
and there was a succession of commotions and trou-
bles.

History. — The first we hear of sacrificial worship
was in the case of Cain, who brought an offering unto
the Lord of the fruits of his agricultural industry,
which was not acceptable, either on account of its
kind, or from some irregularity or misbehavior in
presenting it.^ Whether Adam, his father, acted as
priest, or whether he presented the ofiering himself, or
some other brother officiated for him, is not stated
(Gen. 4). Nor do we know by what indication the
Lord made known to him that his offering was reject-
ed, whether by audible voices, inspirations, dreams, or
by the interposition of a prophet, or some other agency.
But Ave have this testimony, that it Avas rejected, and
his countenance fell.

The next offering of Avhich Ave read is that brought
by Abel (Gen. 4). His was of the firstling of the flock
and the fat thereof Unto this the Lord had respect,
either because of its kind, or the principles upon which
it Avas presented (Heb. 11 : 4). AVhether this offering
was burnt or not, or Avhether it Avas offered through
the mediation of a priest or not, is not recorded. It
seems to be intimated in HebrcAA's 12 : 24, that the blood
of Abel's sacrifice Avas sprinkled, or poured out unto
the Lord, and Abel obtained Avitness that he Avas

* John tells us why Cain slew Abel, but not why Cain's offering
was not accepted. 1 John 3: 12. Sec Waiston's Nofe fi> Jo^cphiis, Art.
ch.2.

156 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

righteous (Heb. 11 : 4\ These transactions were re-
membered long afterwards, in the sixth generation,
and referred to by Lamech (Gen. 4 : 23), who seems to
have been contemporary with Enoch ; but we hear
nothing of idolatry, or any thing more of sacrifices of
any sort, until after the flood, although creatures were
for some uses divided into clean and unclean in the
time of Noah (Gen. 7:3). A new ingredient, how-
ever, had been added to their worship, as it would
seem, as early as the time of Enos, the son of Seth, in
calling upon the name of the Lord (Gen. 4 : 26). How
far this went to distinguish the descendants of Seth
from those races of men who descended from Cain and
the other sons of Adam, may be readily imagined by
its effects on men in later times. Some generations
passed after the flood before we hear of idolatry. But
in the days of Terah, the father of Abraham, idolatry
had become to some extent prevalent east of the Eu-
phrates, as stated by Joshua (ch. 24), and this is the
first notice of it on record. At that time "gods" had
multiplied about " Ur of the Chaldees" (Gen. 15 : 7)
but this was a kind of Magianism, not image- worship ;
nor had it by any means become general in all coun-
tries, for the Canaanites, under Melchizedek, still wor-
shipped Jehovah, and his commands were respected in
Egypt (Gen. 12 : 17).

Immediately after Noah left the ark, he made an
offering, which he burnt before the Lord upon an
altar (Gen. 8 : 20) that he had built for that purpose,
and this is the first altar mentioned in Scripture — B. c.
2348. About sixteen and a half centuries from the
creation of Adam, Abraham added sacrifices to suppli-
cations (Gen. 12 : 8), and is the first who is recorded
to have connected the worship of Enos with the offer-
ings of Abel.

From about this time idolatry began to make rapid
advances in the world. But it was abundantly di-
versified, according to the location and state of society

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 157

where it was permitted or encouraged. Although tliere
were these great departures from the worship of the
true God, and idolatry (see ch. 8 : 7) had obtained in
Chaldea in the days of Terah (b. c. 2000), yet we hear
nothing of the worship of artificial images for more
than two centuries afterwards, when Eebecca, the wife
of Jacob, stole the gods of her father Laban (b. c.
1739. Gen. 31).

Children, both in enlightened and barbarous coun-
tries, whether the offspring of princes or peasants, are
born ignorant of themselves and their Creator, and if
left to grow up without culture come to the same end.
Morally, both will be savage, 3^et Avill they develop an
innate consciousness of Deity, and hope for eternal
life. How such men could vitiate their natural con-
sciousness of a prior existence, and bring themselves
to believe an image of their own manufacture superior
to themselves, or how they could worship the creatures
of their own hands, whose duty it would rather be to
worship them — for the work should praise and adore
the workman — how they could do this through suc-
cessive ages, under every degree of improvement in
laws, arts, sciences, and social refinements, Avithout na-
ture itself suggesting a remed}^, or the mind continually
revolting at such depravity, is a problem which can only
be solved by the philosophy of inspiration (see Eom.
3). In every place and age, where men do not like to
retain God in their knowledge, and are unthankful,
he judicially allows their wicked hearts to become
darkened, and they are left to dishonor themselves
in their own Avorks. The idols, having eyes, see not ;
having ears, hear not ; they are without knowledge,
and they that make them are like unto them, and so is
every one that trusteth in them. As the Scriptures
alone point out the cause of "idolatry — a perverse and
wicked mind" — so they alone suggest a proper remedy
— a change of heart.

As idolatry is against nature and truth, and, in the

158 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

primitive ages, must have been against the better
knowledge of the existence and will of God, its intro-
duction must have been so great a departure from the
settled customs and traditions of mankind as to have
caused serious apprehensions, and have been attended
with discussions and alarm, if not with open contempt,
ridicule, and resistance. But so successful were the
votaries of this despicable foolishness, that within a
few centuries after they originated it, they would have
succeeded in banishing all knowledge of the true God
from among men, it he had not himself interposed, and
by new and extraordinary means preserved his wor-
ship upon earth.

God chose Abraham of Mesopotamia in Chaldea,
drew him away from his own kindred and country,
where the ncAv leaven was far advanced in its work,
and giving him information of Himself, and his being
and attributes (Gen. 17), caused him to travel as a
missionary, until, by bringing him in contact with peo-
ple of various nations, he improved and enlarged his
mind, and by trials, experience, and observation, es-
tablished him in the ancient faith.*

This faith Abi-aham carefully transmitted to his
posterity, whom he left in Canaan ; but at the end of
two hundred years they left Canaan (b. c. 1700), and
migrated into Egypt, where idolatry pursued or re-
ceived them, and the customs of the land and a settled
life soon contaminated many. But oppression led
them to neglect the popular religion, sustained by the
laws of the realm, which however they did not wholly
renounce. And a return to the ancient faith soon
brought the Hebrews in conflict with the religion of
the state, and the state in conflict with Jehovah and
his worshippers (B. c. 1500, A. M. about 2500), two
hundred years after their migration to Egypt, and 430

* Travels and knowledge are favorable to piety, Lsa. 53 : 11 ; Dan.
12: 14.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 159

years from Abraham's first visit to that country (Gren.
12). At this time God appeared to Moses (perhaps near
the head of the Eed Sea) in a burning bush, in the land
of Midian, who was also descended of Abraham, and
sent him back to Egypt, where, after many miracles,
he inflicted ten successive plagues upon Pharaoh and
his people, until they allowed the Israelites, consisting of
about 600,000 adults, besides children, to depart. In
a few days they passed through the Red Sea, where
Pharaoh with his army pursued them and were all
drowned. In the desert of Sin, or Sinai, the Israelites
received the ten commandments, and the ceremonial
law, and set up the tabernacle containing the ark of
the covenant ; and the religion of Jehovah, after some
opposition and delay, became the acknowledged reli-
gion of the Hebrews, and was fully established again on
earth. [See the particulars of these transactions in the
Pentateuch, the works of Josephus, the Rabbins and
other 3vriters.]

Compare this history with the emblems of the
text.

1st. Idolatry is engrafted upon the law^s of Egypt,
and the Egyptians attempt to enslave the worshippers
of God. The judgments of heaven destroy the land.

2d. Discussions and wars ensue. The Hebrews
leave Egypt, followed b}^ the armies of Pharaoh, who
are defeated and slain.

3d. The kingdom of Egypt is shaken, the throne
overturned, the government left in an unsettled state,
the heir-apparent having died in the pestilence, and
confusion reigns until the kingdom, thirty-five years
after, becomes settled in the hands of Amunoph IL,
youngest son of Pharaoh. See Wilkinson on Egyptian
History.

Observation. — It is worthy of notice that Egypt
is the first nation w^e hear of that established idolatry
by law, and the first that came in religious conflict
with Jehovah. At that time Egypt appears to have

160 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC BEVELATION.

been the leading commercial and warlike nation of
the world. The famine in the time of Joseph served
to impoverish the surrounding countries (Gen. 41),
while it opened to Egypt their trade and commerce.
It also strengthened and enriched the government,
and laid the foundation for a perpetual income to
the state (Gen. 47). Quere. Were those stupendous
pyramids and other ancient public works of Egypt
(said to have been commenced 400 years before — see
Wilkinson), built at this time, while the people were
living upon the public granaries ? Egypt seems not
to have lost the commanding influence she gained from
the policy and administration of Joseph until the
egress of the Hebrews, by which she was so crippled,
that the crown of empire was held in uncertainty until
it was finall}^ worn by David, and his became the lead-
ing empire of the times (1 Kings).

Verss: 6. — And the seven ; ngels which had the seven trum-
pets prepared themselves to sound.'

Verse 7. — The first angel sounded,'^ and there followed hail
and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth :
and the 1 bird part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was
burnt up.

Emblems of the Text. — Trumpets^ the signals of
notice and alarm, are the emblems of religious conflict,
and their attendant symbols must determine their ap-
plication.

Hail is always an element of destruction. It was
one of the plagues of Egypt ; was an agent in the sub-
jugation of Canaan in the thue of Joshua, and will re-
cur again under the seventh plague of the Eev. 16 : 25.

Fire^ as giving light, is an emblem of glory, but is
generally the precursor of wrath and betokens pesti-
lence.

Blood is the harbinger of death and desolating
wars, particularly civil wars.

1 Niim. 10 : 1 ; Amos. 3:6; Mat. 18 : 10.
o Ex. 9 : 23 : Josh. 10 : 11 : ?•*. 78 : 47 ; Eze. 13 : 10 ; Mat. 7 : 25.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 161

Earth (see ch. 5 : 10). Temporal sovereignty.

Trees (ch. 7 : 3) signify men, and perhaps a
system of things^ as a code of laws, the rudiments of
science, or the institutes of religion.

Grass is the emblem of a multitude, or of prospe-
rity.

The angels prepare themselves to sound their trum-
pets. Considerable time intervened after the troubles
of Egypt before another nation dared openly oppose
God. Balak attempted, through the means of Balaam,
to array God against his people, but dared not him-
self oppose him. The nations of Canaan trembled at
the name of Jehovah, and opposed Joshua upon poli-
tical grounds. When the Israelites were firmly set-
tled in the Holy Land, they lived in peace and pros-
perity j ust so long as they respected the laws of God.
When they departed from his worship, they were re-
duced to personal slavery or national tribute.

Under their oppressors, whenever they returned
again to God, he invariably delivered them. So that
in the conquests of the Israelites by the Syrians, Phi-
listines, and others, they never came in conflict with
Jehovah, as it invariably proved that the Hebrews
departed from him, before the surrounding nation
could conquer them. The ten tribes became idolaters
before they were removed by Shalmaneser, prince 'of
Assyria (ch. 6 : 3, 4), so that he did not come in con-
flict with the Almighty, and this was afterwards the
case with the kingdom of Judah. They forsook the
Lord and went after other gods, and the temple of Je-
hovah was polluted with strange and idolatrous service,
by their own priests and kings, before Nebuchadnezzar,
king of the Chaldeans, expatriated the people and de-
stroyed that edifice which had been dedicated to Jeho-
vah alone (ch. 6 : 5). Before Antiochus Epiphanes
could get possession of Jerusalem, the people and their
p*riests were bribed to idolatry (ch. 6:8); and before
Titus Vespasian, the Roman general, could subjugate

102 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATlOiS.

the country, the Jews had rejected their Messiah and
converted the temple into barracks for soldiers, and de-
secrated it to scenes of murder, carnage and blood (ch.
6 : 12, and 8 : 1). So that, in all these transactions the
potsherds of the earth strove with the potsherds of the
earth. The Jews departed from their protector and
God before their invaders could conquer or subdue
them. Therefore in all these wars and changes, ter-
rible as some of them Avere, there was no conflict of
religious principles of the sort indicated by the " trum-
pets," the leading symbols of the text. In every one,
idolaters made war upon idolaters, and earthly gov-
ernments made war upon each other, from motives of
worldl}^ policy, honor, or gain. But wken, about the
year B. c. 734, Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign
at Jerusalem, the king of Israel, Pekah, formed an
alliance with Eezin, king of Syria, about twelve years
before the captivity of Israel by the Assyrians, and made
war upon Judah. Ahaz, fearing to meet the con-
federates alone, determined upon an alliance with Tig-
lath-pileser, king of Assyria, and hired an Assyrian
army to march with him against Damascus, the capi-
tal of Syria ; in the siege which followed Eezin was
slain, the city taken, and the inhabitants carried to
Kir, or Kirheresh of Media, where they were settled
in a colony or sold as slaves.

The countries and cities conquered or subjected
to Nineveh about this time, were Holeth, Habor, Go-
zan, Media (2 Kings 18), Haran, Eezeph, Thelasser,
Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, Ivah, Babylon (2
Kings 17), and Egypt. So that the empire of As-
syria, of which Mneveh was the capital, extended from
Ethiopia far east, perhaps to China, and from the Cas-
pian Sea to the Indian Ocean.

Soon after the Assyrian army had taken Damas-
cus, Tiglath-pileser invaded the kingdom of Israel;
reduced Samaria, its capital, after a three years' siege;
carried the ten tribes into captivity, and thus added

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 168

another gem to the diadem of tlie monarclis of Assy-
ria. But on tlie deatli of that monarch, seven or eight
years after the reduction of Samaria, Sennacherib suc-
ceeded to the throne. He was an ambitious and haughty
prince, and unjustly changed the voluntary presents
and subsidies of Aliaz into a national tribute. The
unsettled state of the kingdom induced Hezekiah, his
son and successor, to submit to this indignity until he
could fortify his capital, and place the country in a
position of defence, when he oj^enly asserted his inde-
pendence and prepared to maintain it by the forces
of his kingdom. Hezekiah was active and warlike,
but a devout and open worshipper of Jehovah ; and,
knowing that Judah was oppressed because the peo-
ple had departed from the true worship, when this was
restored, Hezekiah trusted that God, according to his
promise, would deliver him from the Assyrian 3^oke.
But the domineering spirit of Nineveh could not brook
the prospect of leaving a nation so near her uncon-
quered. The rich and ancient city of Jerusalem was a
jewel of too much value for the proud Assyrian to lose
without an effort to retain it. Accordingly Sennacherib
marched a large army into the country, took many of
the cities that lay in his progress towards Jerusa-
lem, and besieged Libnah, a fortress twelve or six-
teen miles distant. Thence he pushed on his col-
umns to meet an army sent on from Africa under Tir-
hakah (2 Kings 19), who seems to have been beaten.
After which the flower of the Assyrian army returned
under three divisions to Jerusalem. His ambassador
reproached Hezekiah with perfidy and rebellion, to
which he replied, in substance, that his cause was just,
and that Jehovah, who brought up his fathers from the
bondage of Egypt, would maintain it. Sennacherib,
however, thinking that the Jews relied upon the armies
of Africa, and having cut off that aid, contemned
their invisible God, and, by his messengers, reproach-
ed the Almighty. Under these circumstances, Senna-

164 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

clierib and the powers of Nineveh, Avere brought into
open conflict with Jehovah. Before him the Assy-
rian army was as tow in the flames. One hundred
and eight3^-five thousand of the principal troops,
" mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in
the camp of the king of Syria," were cut off by a mi-
raculous pestilence in a single night (Isa. 36, &c.) " So
Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and
returned, and dwelt at Nineveh," where revolutions, se-
ditions, and revolts, awaited him. This miracle, how-
ever, instead of subduing his haughty pride, served
only to exasperate his tyranny. Two of his sons,
Adramelech and Sharezer, seizing upon the govern-
ment, Sennacherib fled into the temple of Nisroch,^'
where he was slain. Esar-haddon, another son, ob-
tained command of an army, and the country was in-
volved in civil war, which overwhelmed the Assyrian
empire in blood. Esar-haddon, at length victorious,
drove his brothers into the mountains of Armenia
and succeeded to the throne, B. c. 710 to 700. (See
ch. 6:4.)

The Babylonians now asserted their independence,
and Nineveh, reduced to her ancient limits, in a few
years fell before the rising power of the Chaldeans.
Her glory departed, and Nineveh, that mighty mis-
tress of the world, became a desolate plain.

Compare this with the emblems of the text.

1st. The trumjjet sounds. Sennacherib, at the head
of the Assyrian forces, invades Judea, where they
come in conflict with the religion of Jehovah ; pesti-
lence and desolating wars destroy the multitude and
strength of the people, and the prosperity of his king-
dom departs.

2d. Although Sennacherib is permitted to return
again to Nineveh, a train of misfortunes awaits him.
Civil wars drench his realms in blood, and the Baby-

* Nisrocb is said to have been an eagle.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 165

lonians of Chaldea rise upon the ruins of his country
(eh. 6 : 4).

Note. — Mr. Gibbon, who confounds the empires
of Assyria and Chaldea together, says (ch. 49) that
Sabianism was diffused over Asia by the science of
Chaldea and the arms of Assyria in a remote period
of antiquit}^ The Sabians served seven gods or an-
gels, who directed the course of the seven planets, and
shed their irresistible influence on the earth. The at-
tributes of the seven planets, with the twelve signs of
the zodiac, and the twenty -four constellations of the
northern and southern hemispheres, were represent-,
ed by images and talismans. The seven daj^s of the
week were dedicated to the respective deities. The
Sabians prayed thrice each day, and the temple of the
moon at Harar was the term of their pilgrimage; but
the altars of the Sabians were overturned by the Ma-
gians of Media and Persia, &c. (See ch. 8 : 9.)

3. A third jmrt of trees and all green grass teas burnt
ui:>. At the beginning of this struggle, which resulted
in the downfall of so many nations, the reins of govern-
ment were held by three great powers, or heads : 1st,
Syria, confederate with Israel; 2d, Nineveh, which
was allied to Judali; and 3d, Egypt. Before the con-
flict ended, all the kingdoms, except Judah, were re-
volutionized. Syria, Israel, and Nineveh, Avere dena-
tionalized ; and the two latter never have recovered
their nationality. Egypt was conquered, but arose
on the fall of the Assyrian monarchy. Judah alone
was benefited by the shock; so that the desolation of
Israel and Nineveh was equal to the one-third of
the "trees," or of the three national powers destroj^ed.
The rise of the Chaldeans, by whom all these powers
were afterwards supplanted, may be answerable to
the destruction of "all the grass" — the multitude and
wealth of the nations being entirel}^ absorbed by that
mighty power. (See 3d seal, ch. 6": 5.)

This trumpet occupied, if we reckon from the coro-

166 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

nation of Ahaz to the fall of Samaria, about 15 years ;
but if to the conquest of Nineveh by Babylon, a cen-
tury more must be added.

Verse 8. — And the second angel sounded, and as it were a
great mountain burning'' with fire was cast into the sea: and the
third part of the sea became blood ;

Verse 9. — And the third part of the creatures which were in
the sea, and had ^ life, died ; and the third part of the ships were
destroyed.

Emblems of the Text. — The second trumpet
sounds — a prelude to religious conflict. We say reli-
gious conflict, because trumpets are used as signals of
notice or alarm. Under the law, the priests were to
convoke the Hebrews to their solemn assemblies, and
direct their marches, by the blast of tlie trumpet. The
sound of the trumpet was heard amid the thunders
and earthquake of Sinai at the giving of the law (Ex.
20 : 18 ; Heb. 12 : 19). The declarations and Avarn-
ings of God's prophets and ministers, giving notice of
the judgments of God, are called trumpets (Eze. 2 :
83 ; 3:6; Isa. 58 : 1 ; Hosea 8:1). A trumpet will
be heard at the resurrection of the dead. And on
nearly all occasions of religious wars in Canaan, the
prelude was a sound of trumpets. (See the book of
Judges.)

2d. Mountain is the token of a strong government.

3d. A mountain burning with fire is cast into the
sea. Fire is the emblem of pestilence, wrath, &c., and,
in connection with religion, of zeal or enthusiasm (see
ver. 7). Sea is indicative of many nations. This vol-
canic eruption flows over many people, and in its up-
heaving the mountain is itself thrown from its base,
i. e., in a religious war upon many nations the govern-
ment is itself overwhelmed.

1 Ex. 7 : 17 ; Jer. 51 : 25 ; Eze. 14 : 9 ; Am. 7:4; Mar. 11 : 23.
•2 Ex. 7 : 25 ; Ps. 48 : 7 : Isa. 2:16; Zech. 13:8; eh. 16 : 13.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 167

4tli. The sea became blood. Blood is the precursor
of civil war. Civil wars spread through the nations
by the agitations of this religious movement ; but af-
fected only one-third of the empire.

5th. The third part of the creatures died. — " Creatures
of the sea, which had life," are the most active and in-
fluential officers of the several nations, and in politico-
religious governments, priests and religious ministers
may be officers of state. Thus, at ancient Rome, the
augurs and pontiffs were also consuls, generals, or em-
perors. So in England, " bishops" may be •' lords,"
and the prince may be the patriarch, or head of "the
church," and they may receive duplicate salaries and
honors for performing the double duties of their sta-
tions at the same time. Of these active functionaries,
who stir up or take part in this religious war, a third
part die ; that is, they are superseded, enslaved, or
turn idolaters.

6th. Ship>s are the emblems of commerce, or
revenue, and represent, by their destruction, naval
eruptions and battles, or commercial disasters, &c.

Where are we to look for a sea of nations plunged
into such disastrous civil wars, by a religious zeal
against the truth, as to destroy one-third of their reve-
nues and a third part of their leading men, or the lead-
ing men in one-third of the empire ?

History. — After the fall of Sennacherib, Judea con-
tinued to stand at the head of the nations for about a
century. In the year B. c. 623, the Egyptians, with
an intention of marching an army against Babylon,
crossed the territory of Josiah, king of Judea, who was
probably in alliance with Babylon. Josiah, at the head
of a large army marched against them (ch. 6 : 4-6),
but his army was routed and himself slain. The
Egyptians so far conquered the country as to lay the
land under tribute. These proceedings excited the
indignation of the Babylonians. They raised an army
and drove the Egyptians back into Africa.

168 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

About twenty years after this (b. o. 603), Nebu-
cbadnezzar, having humbled the nations north and
east of Babylon, made preparations to conquer Pal-
estine, upon the pretext of having wrested the
country from the Egyptians. Jehoiakim, who was
then the reigning prince, submitted to the invaders
without a battle, and his dominions were added to
those of the conqueror (2 Kings 2o). But it was not
long before Jehoiakim, conceiving himself able to re-
sist the forces of Babylon, put his country in a posture
of defence, and raised the standard of defiance and in-
dependence, but shortly after died, leaving the kingdom
to his son Jehoiachin. Nine years from Jehoiakim's re-
volt, Nebuchadnezzar came against his son with a large
invading army (ch. 6 : 6). He overran the country,
entered the city of Jerusalem, broke down the walls,
butchered many of the inhabitants, robbed the mag-
nificent temple of Solomon, and burnt it to the ground,
and the prisoners, who Avere spared, he carried oft' to
Babylon. But in these transactions, as we have before
seen, he neither came in conflict with Jehovah, nor his
worshippers, because the Jews had apostatized from
God. As the Sabians, they sacrificed to other gods
under every green tree ; and, as the Magians, upon
every high hill, while the nobles and the elders, " with
every man his censer in his hand," burnt incense to
idols (Eze. 8: 11).

After this (probably about seven years), Nebuchad-
nezzar, desirous of a religious uniformity in his em-
pire, attempted to establish the idolatry of Babylon by
law, and make it the religion of the world. For this
purpose he set up an image, or pagoda, in the plain of
Dura, near his capital, and summoned the principal
officers of his empire to its dedication. Here, the
blast of a trumpet {cornet^ Dan. 3) introduced the dedi-
cation music. But, during the ceremonies, a few wor-
shippers, at the head of whom were Shadrach, &c., re-
fused obedience to the king's decree, which imme-

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 169

diatelj arrayed the powers of tlie empire in conflict
with Jehovah. The king, however, desisted from his
design, and God gradually worked a toleration of his
religion, which became to a great extent prevalent
throughout the empire, A. M. 3430 ; B. c. 574.

From the time of Nebuchadnezzar, nothing of pub-
lic and lasting importance to religion took place for
some years. His successors, without his abilities, im-
mersed in luxury and vice, held for a few years, with
a feeble hand, the helm of government. Watching
the progress of events, the ambitious chiefs of Media
and Persia, relying upon their distance from the Chal-
dean capital and the fastnesses of their country, but
above all, the wild independence, martial spirit, and
number of their clans, entered into an alliance, allured
or compelled the neighboring tribes to their standard,
attacked and conquered the ancient city of Nineveh
(a. m. 3440), now a dependency of Babylon, overcame,
after a severe contest, her Lydian allies under Croesus,
and then, returning, laid siege to Babylon.

After a siege of two years, Babylon was entered by
stratagem, the king Belshazzar slain, and the city
held in the name of Cyaxares, under the title of
" Darius the Mede," about A. M. 3468, nearly forty
years after the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem.

Upon the death of Darius, Cyrus succeeded in the
empire, which he held jointly in the name of the
Medes and Persians. He soon after published an edict
of toleration to the Jews, with permission to resettle
Judea, either because they assisted him in the conquest
of Babylon, which is highly probable (Dan. 5 : 22), or
from motives of liberality and justice, as all historians
of credibility concur in representing him to be a man
of a capacious, politic, and well cultivated mind.

Upon the death of Cyrus, Cambyses — called by
some Ahasuerus II. — ascended the throne. He sus-
pended the decree of his predecessor in favor of the
Jews ; carried an expedition into Africa, and made

170 OUTLIISES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION.

considerable conquests also in Asia. But while absent
on his wars in Africa, his throne was usurped by
Smerdis, surnamed Artaxerxes. His first object was
to secure the possession of the government to his
family, and he made preparations to intercept the re-
turn of Cambyses. He also opposed the return of the
Jews. On receiving intelligence of the usurpation of
Smerdis, Cambyses hastened towards his dominions in
Asia, but died in Judea, on his way home.

Darius Hystaspes — called also Ahasuerus III. — at
the head of the army left by Cambyses, ^^ marched
against Smerdis, who was driven from the kingdom,
and Hystaspes assumed the purple, A. M. 3495. At
tlie suggestion of Haman, his chief minister, he issued
an irrevocable decree for the assassination of all the
Jews, throughout all the provinces of the emj)ire from
India to Ethiopia, because " their laws were diverse
from all people ; neither keep they the king's laws"
(Es. 3 : 8). In a short time after the enactment of
this decree, Haman was suspected, by his prince of de-
signs against the queen. He was put to death, and
Mordecai, a Jew, advanced to his place ; having the
favor of the queen, who was also of Jewish origin,
Mordecai persuaded the king to issue a counter-decree
inconsistent with that of Haman. These decrees occa-
sioned civil wars throughout all parts of the empire,
in which 70,000 of the Persian subjects, "the Jews'
enemies," are reported to have fallen on one side in a
single day — among the rest, ten sons of Haman. After
this, the Jews' religion was every where tolerated, and
vast numbers were proselyted to that faith.

Note. — It is said (Es. 3 : 7) that they cast Puk,
that is, the lot^ in the presence of Haman daily for
twelve months before he determined on his course.
Pur signifies " fire," which was worshipped as a di-
vinity by the Magians of Persia. It would seem there-

* The accounts of these changes are contradictory. I have chosen
what appears to me most reasonable.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 171

fore that Ham an performed some religious acts (simi-
lar to those performed by the king of Babylon, Jer.
51 : 11), by sacrifices or lots, in honor of his god Pur^
during a year previous to his decree against the Jews.
Did he consult magic in this way ? There is also an
imperfect history, or tradition of Persia, pointing to
the times of these occurrences, and noticing a great
religious change in this country. The substance of the
history is, that soon after the usurpation of Smerdis
the Magian, religion was opposed by military force and
civil law, and another idolatrous worship in temples
substituted. This story seems capable of this con-
struction ; that it was Haman's object to establish the
Magian religion, upon the fall of the Jews, throughout
all the countries subject to Ahasuerus, but that being
defeated, the Jewish synagogues took its place.

The Persians, under Xerxes, invaded Greece A. M.
8540 ; B. c. 464, and seventy -five years after the fall of
Babylon. Judea must have been at this time subject
to Persia either as a dependency or by alliance. After
several struggles by sea and land, Xerxes returned to
his dominions with the loss of the greater part of the
Persian strength, which opened a road for Alexander
the Great, to follow him about a century afterwards,
B. c. 365 ; A. M. 3639.

On a review of this history, as compared with the
emblems of the text, we find no changes, which brought
the leading empires into a conflict with the religion of
Jehovah, until the time of Haman. Therefore,

1st. The second trumpet sounds, and Haman pre-
pares for a religious war against the worshippers of
God.

2d. Haman, the most conspicuous minister of the
Persian empire, plunges the "sea" of her "one hun-
dred and twenty provinces from India to Ethiopia,"
into a civil war.

8d. The government itself is overturned, i. e.,
passes from the hands of idolaters [probably Magians]
to the servants of God.

172 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

4tli. In civil wars, terrible, wide-spread, and bloody
as thej were, we may reasonably suppose that a third
part of the " creatures of the sea," the abettors and
friends of Haman throughout the empire, died.

5th. How far such a civil and religious revolution
must have affected the " ships " — the commercial and
naval relations, and revenues of the country, cannot
at present be positively known.

Duration of this trumpet, about twenty to thirty
years.

The following quotation is from Buck's Theo. Diet.
Art. Magi or Magian. " The altars of the Sabians had
been overturned by the Magians of Media and Persia,
in their conquest of Chaldea. The Magians used no
images, but worshipped God only by fire. They had no
temples, and performed their devotions on the tops of
hills and in the open air ; but their religion fell into
disgrace on the death of those ringleaders of that sect
who had usurped the sovereignty, in the absence or on
the death of Cambyses, and the slaughter that was made
of those chief men among them, sunk it so low that it
never afterwards prevailed. Darius and most of his
followers are said, on that occasion, to have embraced
Sabianism."

The following note from Gibbon's Decline and Fal\
ch. 49, plainly contradicts the above, from Buck. Gib-
bon says, "The injuries done to the Sabians by the
Magians were not revenged until the time of Alexan-
der ; after which Persia groaned under a foreign yoke
of Sabian idolatry five hundred years."

There can perhaps be no doubt that Haman was a
Magian, and that Darius or Ahasuerus, by advancing
Mordecai and encouraging the rebuilding of the tem-
ple at Jerusalem, has been improperly reported to
have embraced Sabianism. •

In this place it may not be out of the way to re-
mark on the conduct of Nebuchadnezzar as stated by
Daniel. From the account given of his conduct and
proclamations, after the failure of his attempt to co-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 178

erce apostacy from the worship of the true God, it
does not appear that he refrained from idolatry. The
greatest extent of his reformation seems to have con-
sisted in an acknowledgment that Jehovah was the su-
2oreme God ; but if he had no competitors among the
idols of the nations, they nevertheless might be wor-
shipped as local divinities, or assistants, and governors
of man, and therefore might be the objects of a relative
or inferior worship. So, previously (2 Kings 16),
the inhabitants which Shalmanezer placed upon the
confines of Judea, feared Jehovah as supreme, but
also feared and worshipped idols. This is also the
modern doctrine of tutelar saints — the worship of the
Catholic church. There are many also not only among
Catholics, but Protestants, who worship Jehovah as
supreme, and fear, if they do not worship witches,
fairies, elfs, and other genii. The principles of the
ancients and moderns are, in this respect, the same.
The difference is only in the mode of worship, and
the manner of showing reverence.

In all such religious schemes and superstitions, Je-
hovah is generally confounded with the rest, and the
idols and demigods take the glory. Something simi-
lar to this may have been the fault of the Hebrews,
when Balak corrupted them ; of Ahaz (2 Kings 16 :
15) at a later season; and possibly the "stumbling-
blocks" of Pergamos (ch. 2 : 14), and the " seductions"
of Thyatira (ch. 2 : 20) may have had this tendency, if
not similar in origin and design.

Verse 10. — And the third ang-el soundod, asid' there fell a
great star from heaven, burning as it were a hinip, ;ind it fell upon
the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters :

Verse 11. — And the name of the star is called Wormwood*:
and the third part of the waters^ became wormwood; and many
men died of the waters, because they were m;!de bitter.

1 See ch. 6:8; 22 : 1 ; Ex. 7 : 20 ; Ju. 5 : 11 : Isa. 14: 12 : Hos. 13 :
15; Luke 10: 18; Jude 18.
* Gr. Apsinthos.
« Deut. 29 : 18 ; Ex. 15 : 28 ; Pr. 5 : 4 ; La. 3 : 5 ; Am. 5 : 7 ; He. 12 : 15.

174 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION".

Emblems of the Text. — 1st. The third angel
sounds^ wliicli is a prelude to the third great rehgious
conflict.

2d. A star falls from heaven. Star is an officer or
angel of a church. Heaven is the kingdom of God, or
the church. This emblem therefore signifies that a
conspicuous ecclesiastical officer of the church " falls"
or apostatizes.

3d. Burning as a lamjy. Even after his fall he
somewhat resembles the stars of the seven candlesticks
(ch. 1 : 20), or an angel of God (ch. 4 : 5, and 8 : 2), but
he ignites a train of evils causing calamities and wo.

4th. This blazing meteor falls upon the rivers and
fountains of waters, and turns them to " wormwood,"
of which men drink and die. Fountains^ wells^ springs^
rivers^ &c., are the emblems of joy, principles, and doc-
trines, as their source ; or, 2d, rivers may be the emblem
of marching armies and moving people. Wormwood in
Scripture is the emblem : 1st, of idolatry (compare Jer.
9: 11-15, with Deut. 26: 18); 2d, of profaneness and
apostacy (Jer. 23 : 15 ; Amos 5 : 7, and 6 : 12).

5th. Many died^ many apostatized, and much blood-
shed followed.

History. — From the days of Haman, through
all the wars consequent upon the fall of the Persian
empire, and the growth of the " notable horn" of the
Macedonian goat, down to the establishment of the
"four" that came up in its stead, none of them had
the temerity or misfortune to come in hostile contact
with the truth of heaven. During the great revolu-
tions which occurred in the progress of nations, the
Jews were many times seriously affected in their tem-
poral affairs, to a greater or less extent ; but their reli-
gion was left by the great powers undisturbed. But
B. c. 171, about A. M. 3834 (ch. 6 : 8), Antiochus Epi-
phanes, king of the Medo-Syrian kingdom, entered
Judea at the head of an army, and soon after got pos-
session of Jerusalem. He disposed of all the offices of

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 175

trust or profit to the highest bidder, and lent them the
aid of his army to retain their authority. Onias, a
descendant of Aaron, was then high priest, but Antio-
chus sold the office to his (Onias's) brother Jason for a
large sum of money (350 talents of silver). But be-
coming dissatisfied Avith Jason, he deposed him, and
sold the office for six hundred and fifty dollars to Me-
nelaus, another brother, whose views were more con-
genial to the conqueror. Menelaus taxed the people
to raise the purchase-money, and became himself a
priest of Grecian idolatry. He conducted Antiochus
into the Holy of Holies, and assisted him in rob-
bing the temple of much of its sacred furniture, toge-
ther with about 1800 talents of gold. As soon as
preparations could be made, he assisted in placing a
statue of Jupiter Olympus, an idol of Greece, near the
altar of burnt-offerings, and having dedicated the tem-
ple to this idol, the customary Grecian sacrifices were
offered to it, interchangeably with those offered to
Jehovah, for about three years. Many of the people,
through fear, hope of gain, or to conciliate their rulers,
turned idolaters ; some suffered martyrdom, others
took up arms, and under the standard of the Macca-
bees, by whom the city was retaken and the idols de-
stroyed, instituted the public worship of Jehovah at
the temple, B. c. 167-5.

Compare this history with the emblems of the text.

1st. The apostacy of Menelaus answers to the fall-
ing meteor of the text.

2d. The waters are poisoned. The dedication of
the temple to idolatry by a priest of Jehovah, and
then, like Urijah (2 Kings 16), the same priest Mene-
laus, acting in the double capacity of high priest of
God and pontiff of Jupiter, perplexing the people and
emboldening them to apostatize from the religion of
the God of heaven and to turn idolaters.

3d. Many die. The history coincides so literally
with the emblems of the text, that a comparison is but

176 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

a repetition. In the rise and fall of parties, and the
wars consequent upon this religious conflict — wars,
from the numbers engaged, the most terrible upon
record, — "many men died." (See fourth seal, Macca-'
bees, Josephus, &c.)

4th. As in the 8th verse the third part of the sea
is mentioned, so here (verse 11) the third part of the
rivers is spoken of At that time Cyrus had decreed
the restoration of the Jews, and in law they formed
with Media and Persia the third power in the west-
ern part of Asia. The civil war was on their ac-
count, but it raged to its highest extent in Persia.
The third part of the rivers is mentioned as the rivers
of the third nation then existing in that part of Asia.
At that time Syria divided the regal power of the na-
tions with Egypt and Rome.

The duration of this tempest was from five to eight
years, although its consequences were felt for a cen-
tury, if indeed it does not yet in its sphere have an
influence upon the world.

Verse 12. — And the fourth angel sounded,' and the third p:irt
of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the
third part of the stars : so as the third part of them was darkened,
and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night lilvewise.

Emblems of the Text. — 1st. The fourth trum-
pet is sounded, and the fourth war on account of reli-
gion follows.

2d. One third of the sun is darhened. The sun is an
emblem of the Christian church" and the moon of the
Mosaic dispensation (see ch. 6 : 12, 17). The stars are
the "angels of the churches," the leading and conspi-
cuous actors of both dispensations.

3d. Day and niglit. (Note, prophetic time.) We
are to infer that a third part of the sun, &c., were ob-
scured in a particular place while the rest were bril-

1 Isa. 13:10; Jer. 4 : 23 ; Eze. 32 : 7 ; Joel 2:10; Am. 8:9; Mat.
24 : 29 ; Mark 13 : 24 ; Luke 21 : 25 ; Ac. 2 : 20.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 177

liant, and that none of tliem in the country affected
by the eclipse, shone at all during the last third j)art
of a day and the first third part of a night, as if they
had been totally obscured during eight consecutive
hours (ch. 8 : 10), prophetic time, making one hun-
dred and twenty claj^s equal to four months common
time.

History. — This trumpet is of short duration, but
of sufficient importance to be made the subject of a
separate report. The emblems lead us naturally to
contemplate the Christian religion in conjunction or as
cotemporaneous with the Jewish, and at a time when
neither of them gave light on earth. It must fall some-
where near the period of Jerusalem's final desolation.
We are safe in saying it was not previous to the cruci-
fixion of Christ, because after the sounding of the
third trumpet, from the time of the Maccabees to the
coming of John, the Mosaic dispensation shone with a
light which equalled its greatest splendor during the
reign of the most illustrious and successful of the Jcav-
ish kings. It was during this period the Pharisees
made those great missionary exertions for proselyting
the nations, which, too often abused for partisan ends
(Mat. 23 : 15), were so far successful as to place " in
every city" (Acts 15 : 21), those who taught the law
of Moses and instructed in the name of the true God.
It was during this period that the temple was so
thoroughly repaired, adorned, and enriched, as to be-
come an object of curiosity to strangers, the cause of
national pride to the Jews, and the admiration of the
world. For another reason we assume that it could not
have been during this period : the Mosaic economy
then existed alone ; the new dispensation had not then
been brought in, or revealed.

Again : it could not have been at any time between
the preaching of John the Baptist and the invasion of
Judea by the Koman armies under Cestus Callus, for
this was the Apostolic era, when the rising sun of

178 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Christianit}^ shone with its purest divine lustre and
heavenly radiance.

Nor was this trumpet after the fall of Jerusalem,
for the Christian religion, being then disincumbered
of Judaism and relieved from Jewish opposition and
persecution, spread with a rapidity little inferior to its
first promulgation.

The scene of this trumpet must therefore be laid
during the Jewish wars, and about the time when
Titus Vespasian invested the city of Jerusalem, or per-
haps a little before. Many churches had been planted
in Judea, Galilee, and among the Gentiles, before the
Roman invasion, but they were, at least by their ene-
mies, looked upon as Jewish, and when the army of
Vespasian overran Judea and . Galilee, these churches
must have been for the most part unsettled, if not
broken up. It was on the advance of Vespasian to-
wards Jerusalem, that the Christians left the city and
retired to Perea. About this time also the germ of those
heresies which had before divided the churches began
to take deeper root and shoot up, producing diversity
of sentiment and feeling. During this period also the
excitement in Palestine and throughout the Roman
empire was at its highest pitch, and every man in-
quired with interest and listened with attention to the
reports from the seat of war. The idolatrous legions
of Rome were now preparing to besiege the place
which Jehovah had chosen as the centre of his religion,
the visible and miraculous manifestations of his power.
The intemperate valor and obstinacy of God's own
chosen people were tending to the subversion of their
kingdom and religion.

Whatever may have been the origin of this war
between the Jews and Romans, no one will dispute
that it took a religious aspect before its close. The
appearance of pretended Messiahs, and the cruel de-
ceptions practised upon the deluded people in arms
againstf^the Romans, give to it, on their part at least,

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 179

as purely a religious character as the war waged by
Sennacherib against Judea in the days of Hezekiah.

Compare this history with the emblems of the text.

1st. The fourth trumpet is sounded, and a fourth
religious conflict ensues.

2d. The sun, moon, and stars darken over one-third
of the land, for four months. Throughout Judea, the
light of religion is extinguished, and the labors of par-
ticular saints are suspended by their removal from the
scenes of carnage and war.

These things are also referred to under the emblems
of the sixth seal. Ch. 6 : 12-17.

Note. — As the duration of this trumpet was shorter
than that of the sixth seal, the whole of it was future to
John ; and hence he could properly prophesy of the time
of its continuance, showing evidently that this part of
the Eevelation w^as also penned before the fall of Jeru-
salem. (See seventh seal, and Preface to the Book.)

Verse 13. — And I beheld, and heard an angel flying- through the
midst of heaven,' saying with a loud voice. Wo, wo, wo, to the in-
habiters of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet
of the three angels, which are yet to sound !

Emblems of the Text. — Angel (see Note, ch. 1 : 1),
servant or messenger, denotes any providence by which
God accomplished his own purposes or notified men of
his will.

Heaven (ch. 4 : 2). Under the seventh seal and
fourth trumpet we have seen Jerusalem destroyed, and
the sacrificial institutions of Moses obliterated. Hence-
forth, we are to consider heaven in its emblematic sense
as representing the Christian church.

Voice (ch. 4 : 2, &c.). The emblem of proclamations
and debates, indicates that many in the Church gave
warning that there were approaching great religious

» Ps. 103 : 20 ; Eze. 2:10; He. 1 : 14 ; Cb. 9 : 1 ; 14 : 3 ; 19 : 17.

180 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

wars, dissensions, and conflicts, of disasters and de-
structive results.

Earth (see ch. 5 : 10). The figure of political power,
or worldly governments and their subjects, are the
people and rulers of these governments, as distinguish-
ed from the church.

To John all these trumpets were clearly future, and
they are further distinguished by coming in conflict
with the new dispensation ; still further, by having the
time of their continuance clearly foretold. If there-
fore we can tell when one of them begins, we can also
tell its termination, or if we know the time of its end-
ing, we can also state the time of its commencement.

We are also favored with peculiar advantages in
the explanation of these trumpets ; for, although we
cannot appeal to the records of inspiration, we are in
possession of the minute details of a comparatively late
history, which, although at times obscured by preju-
dice or passion, is nevertheless so plain as clearly to
delineate the truth of these prophecies, and establish,
beyond a cavil or doubt, the omniscience and divine
inspiration of the Book of Kevelation, as well as the
truth, the miraculous truth, that God takes an interest
in the affairs of men and makes known to them the
future.

CHAPTER IX.

\. Sounding of the fifth Angel. — 13. The sixth Angel

SOUNDS.

Verse 1. — And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw' a star fall*
from heaven unto the earth : and to him was given the key of the
bottomless pit.

1 Luke 8 : 31 ; ch. 17 : 8 ; 20 : 1. » Falluig.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 181

Verse 2. — And he opened the bottomless pit; and' there arose
a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace ; and the
sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

Verse 3. — x\nd there came out of the smoke locusts upon the
earth : and unto them was''^ given power, as the scorpions of the
earth have power.

Verse 4. — And it was commanded them that they should not
hurt the grass of the^ earth, neither any green thing, neither any
tree ; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their
foreheads.

Verse 5. — And to them it was given that* they should not kill
them, but that they should be tormented five months : and their
torment was as the torment of a scorpion when he striketh* a
man.

Verse 6. — And in those days shall'' men seek death, and shall
not find it; and shall^ desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

Verse 7. — And the shapes'^ of the locusts were® like unto
horses prepared unto battle ; and on their heads were as it were
crowns of gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

Verse 8. — And they had hair as the hair of ^ women, and their
teeth were as the teeth of lions.

Verse 9. — And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of
iron ; and t^e sound^ of their wings was as the sound of ciiariots of
many horses running to battle.

Verse 10. — And they had tails like unto ^ scorpions, and there
were stings in their tails : and their power was to hurt men five
months.

Verse 11. — And they had a king over them, which'" is the
angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is
Abaddon<^, but in theGreek tongue hath his name Apollyon*^.

Emblems of the Text. — The fifth angel sounds^

1 Gen. 15 : 17 ; Isa. 14 : 31 ; Joel 2 : 30 ; Nahum 3 : 15, 17.

2 Ex. 10 : 4 ; Ju. 7:12; Isa. 33 : 4 ; Joel 1:4; 2 : 25.

3 Ex. 12 : 28 ; Eze. 9:4; ch. 6:6; 7:3.

4 Dan. 5 : 18, 22 ; 7:6; Job 2 : 6.
* Gr. TraiffT), stingeth.

b Shall the men.

5 Job 3 : 21 ; Isa. 2 : 19 ; Jer. 8:3; Hosea 10 : 8 ; Luke 23 : 30 ; ch. 6 : 16.
c Appearances of the locusts.

6 Ex. 10 : 4 ; Joel 2:4; ch. 6 : 4, 6, &c.

7 2 Kings 9 : 30 ; Isa. 3 : 24 ; Joel 1 : 6 ; 1 Cor. 11 : 14 ; 1 Tim. 2:9;
1 Pet. 3 : 3.

8 Job 40 : 18 ; Isa. 9:5; Joel 2:5; Nahum 2 : 4.
3 Deut. 28 : 13 ; Isa. 7:4; 9 : 15 ; ch. 12 : 4.

1" John 12 : 31 ; 2 Cor. 4:4; ch. 9 : 1 ; 20 : 1. See also John 8 : 44.
d i. e. the destroyer, but not the dragon.

182 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

proclaiming a fifth religious conflict. A star falls from
heaven to the earth. (See ch. 8 : 11-13.)

As earth symbolizes civil government ; heaven^ the
church; star^ an ecclesiastical officer; said falling, apos-
tacy, — so here an officer of the Christian church apos-
tatizes and falls or relies upon civil aid to sustain him.
By apostacy, it is not meant that a man neglects or
contemns religion, but that having once received the
truth he afterwards imbibes doctrines and errors sub-
versive of his faith. The evils of this trumpet, there-
fore, originated with an apostate Christian — not a hea-
then or Jew — and in an attempt to engraft his system
upon a temporal government, or to sustain it by force.

To liim was given the hey of the bottomless pit. The
Gr. words rendered "bottomless pit," are rov <^peaTo<^
T?)? d/Svaaov, and signify the " pit of the abyss," or the
" well of the deep." As the star fell from heaven to
the earth, that which is within or beneath the horizon
of the earth, as contrasted with the heavens above, is
here alluded to as the abode of demons and evil spi-
rits, and is called the pit of the abyss. To the fallen
star (which in Gr. is masculine) was given the key of
the pit.

Key is the emblem of possession, or authority (ch.
9 : 1), and is used figuratively to denote knowledge or
doctrines.

2d. jSmoJce. The emblem of confusion and error
(ch. 8 : 6). Sun, the light of the true religion (ch. 6 :
12). Air is the symbol of the principles or rudiments
of all science, viz., political, legal, moral, social, and
ecclesiastical; that is, the key or authority of this
apostate "opens the bottomless pit," sets an endless
train of errors afloat, by which the light of true reli-
gion becomes dim, and the rudiments of science are
obscured. (See 4th seal.)

3d. Locusts come out of the smoJce. Locusts are the
emblems of men of savage and destructive designs.
Scorpions are emblems of such as unite subtilty with

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 183

wickedness, or contemptible spite with malice. Un-
der tlie darkness of this apostacy various tribes or
parties of men are raised up, endowed like " scorpions"
with a fatal power and zeal for disseminating their
mischievous poison.

4th. Grass^ multitude or riches, and frailty. I^-ee,
men. Seal of God is the government or authority of
God. Those sealed with God's seal belong to his
kingdom or church, and those without his seal are
they who do not belong to it. The opposition and
hatred of these locusts, are providentially limited to
countries and peoples who are not Christians, and do
not belong to the new kingdom of God (ch. 7), having
not his seal in their foreheads.

5th. To them it was given that they should not hill
them. To hill is to exterminate or destroy, to subdue.
Five months (see ch. 2 : 10) is symbolical of one hun-
dred and fifty years ; that is, power was given to the
men who had not God's seal in their foreheads, so that
although they endured grievous afflictions from the
followers of the apostate during one hundred and fifty
years, yet they were neither subdued nor extermi-
nated.

6th. In those days shall men seeh death^ &c. During
that period, by means of a misguided enthusiasm or
religious frenzy, men (not of the locusts or their vic-
tims) should desire religious martyrdom, or death for
military glory and praise. This religious frenzy, or con-
tempt of life, should become so general and prevail to
so great an extent, that executioners would spare their
victims, either because they are themselves satiated
with blood; or from a contrary and spiteful disposi-
tion, they withhold the coveted glory. And this
should be "in those days" when the locusts have pow-
er, and should fix the era of this trumpet.

7th. The shapes of the locusts^ lihe horses^ &c. This
is not the shape of each individual ; but as locusts go
in swarms or tribes, so these tribes, like the horses in

184 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

the several seals (cli. 6) should be warlike, strong, and
courageous, rapid in their marches, and destructive in
their onsets. At the same time, notwithstanding their
unsettled condition, they should wear "crowns (ch.

6 : 2), or be independent governments, and have the
" faces of men" (ch. 4:7); that is, act with dignity and
care.

8th. Hair^ the emblem of wealth and luxuriance,
or effeminacy, is often varied on account of color (Isa.

7 : 20 ; 15 : 2 ; Jer. 7:29; 15 : 2). Or like grass it
may symbolize a people (Ezek. 5). Teeth like lions.
Teeth are symbols that express the propensity or dis-
position of the creature in whose jaws they grow. It
would follow, then, that these clans or tribes grow
rich and effeminate from the ra^Mcity of their dispo-
sition, and the multitude of their spoils; or while
their destructive propensities should be exhibited with
the ravenous ferocity of lions, their appearance should
indicate the softness and delicacy of woman. Joel
says, ch. 1 : 6, the teeth of the locusts are "the teeth
of a lion ;" that is, in rapacity they are not exceeded
by lions.

9th. Breastplates of iron. Their armor and military
equipage should be that of half-civilized nations, be-
ing of wrought-iron. Breastplates have not been used
by soldiers in military campaigns since the invention
of gunpowder, or rather since its use in firearms, be-
cause breastplates are not proof against balls, but they
were in common use before that time by those who
fought with darts, arrows, javelins, and swords.

The sound of their wings^ was as the sound of the
prancing of many horses, and the rumbling of char-
iots. Wing is the emblem, 1st, of speed and impetuo-
sity ; 2d, protection ; and 3d, by simile, for the flanks
and side bodies of armies, or the arms of warriors, or
the conveyances upon which they ride — the " sound"
of any of these, in great multitudes at a distance, be-
ing heavy and confused ; or perhaps the news or intel-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 185

ligence from them may cause tlie same fear and dismay
as an invading army.

10th. Tails are the emblems of feeble and base gov-
ernments and national dependencies (" the prophet that
teacheth lies," Isa. 9 : 15) ; and their 'poioer teas to hurt
men Jive months. This is not a repetition of the same
thing mentioned in v. 5, although the time is the same.
Here it is said that the " locusts" have power to hurt
men five months, but in that passage it is said the men
were tormented five months. They arose belligerent,
and did not hesitate to use the power without intermis-
sion, from the time they sprung up to "hurt" and
" torment" the men who have not the seal of God.
As the time "five months" is mentioned twice (vs. 5
and 10), I should be inclined to look for the existence
of the " locusts" in two different ways, of 150 years
each, making 300 in all, and to think that during a part
of their existence it was not so much on account of
the power of the "locusts" to hurt, as it was the mis-
fortune of " the men" to be tormented, but in the
other half they had the " power," and therefore used it.

11th. They had a king over them. This is under-
stood of a kingdom. They were formed into a gov-
ernment, and carried on their pseudo persecutions and
" torments" with the deliberate coolness and perse-
verance of ministers of justice and in pursuance of
law, with an armed and hostile force. And the gov-
ernment, or "angel" of the government, was named
Abaddon and Apollyon, that is. Destroyer. The name
is given in both Hebrew and Greek, indicating that
he is the enemy of both Jew and Gentile, for among
both are men who are not sealed with the seal of the
living God.

Where are we to look for a single united power
which arose out of the half-civilized, independent
tribes or clans, but Avhich was cemented by the opin-
ions of an apostate minister of the Gospel of Jesus,
and organized into a regular government — whose

186 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION.

whole duration, both before and after it obtained per-
manent civil power, was only twice 150 jeaxs ; that
is, only 300 years' duration — which, during its whole
term of existence, held a warlike attitude against Jew
and Gentile, whether idolaters or professing a corrupt
Christianity — which was commanded and obeyed the com-
mand^ to spare both the property and persons of the
servants of God, and whose ravages were providen-
tially limited to those countries and peoples who were
not Christians.

This power arises with persecuting intentions, but
spends its force, as a ivoe or judgment of God, upon
his enemies and not upon his saints. The followers
of an apostate are not necessarily themselves apostates,
for, as a body, they may never have professed any
better religion. Another very explicit and striking
feature in this prophecy, and one which comes in contact
and conjunction with this power, and must be identi-
fied with it as to time, happening "in those days," is
the strange prediction that a great number of mankind
should become professedly and actually desirous that
others should kill them, but be denied their request.
This must be understood as " seeking death" at the
hands of others and being denied; for if they had
sought to die by their own hands they certainly could
have found the means, and death would not have fled
from them. Now, if such things have occurred since
the Christian era, we certainly have records of them,
and we are to look for these records at an early period,
before the use of gunpowder, and while breastplates
composed a part of the military equipage of troops.
It was in the first religious war that arose from apos-
tacy after the establishment of the Christian religion.

History. — After the fall of Jerusalem and the re-
duction and dispersion of the Jewish nation, partial
persecutions arose under the authority of the Koman
emperors, until the seat of government was removed
by Constantine to Constantinople (a. d. 325), and ido-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 187

latiy was suppressed by the sword. But these perse-
cutions were successive!}^ of short duration, never to
exceed the administration of a single emperor. Their
force was spent upon the followers of Jesus, and not
upon those men who have not the seal of God in their
foreheads.

In the history of the Acts of the Apostles we trace
the dawning of those controversies and opinions which
afterwards furnished the materials for new religious
sects and parties. These parties, although professedly
and in name Christian, began to exhibit a disposi-
tion averse to the principles and teachings of Jesus.
Jude, who was cotemporary with them, tells us that
in his day men who had professed Christianity were
beginning, 1st, to go in the way of Cain, i. e., were
taking means to destroy their brethren, the saints,
and then apostatize or go out from the presence of
God (Gen. 4 : 5) ; 2d, corrupting themselves, and sell-
ing their profession for bribery, and conniving at ido-
latry, like Balaam ; and 3d, that they should even-
tually perish like Core or Korah (Num. 16, 1, &c.), in
their gainsayings.

As the Gospel cleft a stone from the mountain of
Zion, from which to make a new mountain, it seemed
to be the impression of some that the stone might be
made the nucleus around which all the materials of
the old mountain might be gathered, and, while it
should undergo a change of name, which appeared
inevitable, the mountain should remain, with but
slight alterations, essentially the same as before. In
other words, the Gospel was the antitype of the Jew-
ish religion. It contained the vital principles of the
Jewish economy, Avithout a single vestige of its an-
cient rites and ceremonies. Besides divesting itself of
the burdensome yoke of perpetual ceremony and costly
sacrifice, the Gospel proceeded a step further, and
made all its members equal from the time of their
union with the church. Thus placing proselytes of

188 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATI0:N'.

the Gentiles on an equal footing (see 12 : 17) with
the lineal race of Abraham, making them of the
same body, fellow-heirs and partakers of the same
hopes, privileges, and promises. This, which among
the Jewish proselytes could be effected only after a
series of years or a lapse of generations, was with the
Gospel the work of a day. To this, however, after a
contest of several years, the Jewish converts reluc-
tantly submitted, but they were still zealous of the
law, and taught the necessity of circumcision. The
Jewish convert yielded to Christian immersion on the
profession of a belief in Jesus Christ as the promised
Messiah, but still circumcised the males of his house-
hold, and offered sacrifices at the temple in pursuance
of the customs of this fathers. These things the Gentiles
neglected, and it gave rise to the first parties and
sects that divided the Christian churches. One was
arrayed on the side of Paul, who proclaimed it useless
and unprofitable, and another professed to be a fol-
lower of Peter, w^hose practice accorded with that of the
Jews, while a third held with others, who were supposed
to have taken a middle course between them. Nor did
the contest stop here. Misguided and designing men
induced divisions and parties from motives of ambi-
tion or gain. Both influences were active among Jews
and Gentiles. Nor were the prejudices of Judaism
stronger than those of idolatry. The theories of Aris-
totle and Plato were as strongly imbedded in the mind
of a Greek as the law of Moses was in that of a de-
scendant of Jacob. Both found it difficult to eradi-
cate the principles of an early education ; both alike
attempted to incorporate them with their belief, and
allowed them to have a practical bearing upon their
Christian life. The zeal or eloquence of a favorite
leader, decided the amount of original sentiment to be
mixed with the new profession, and, by consequence,
the amount of Christianity necessary to subserve pre-
sent purposes, with the hope or promise that this

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 189

sTiould be effectual and sufficient in the world to
come.

Tne operation of these and similar causes had
brought into being, by the middle of the third century
or commencement of the fourth, a multitude of sects
and denominations, whose zeal and enmity were fre-
quently excited and fanned into bitter crimination
and violence. The principal of these, after many re-
volutions and revulsions, were Donatists, Novatians,
Macedonians, Eunomians, and a party who afterwards
took the name of Catholics.

It had long before been established as a fundamen-
tal maxim of the Roman constitution, that every rank
of citizens were ahke subject to the laws, and that
the care of religion was the right as well as the
duty of the civil magistrate. The irresistible power
of the Roman emperors had recently been displayed in
the important and dangerous change of the national
religion (a. d. 312). Constantine had silenced, by the
terrors of a military force, the faint murmurs of pa-
ganism, and established Christianity upon its ruins.
Neither Constantine nor his successors could easily
persuade themselves that they had forfeited by their
conversion, any branch of their imperial prerogatives,
or that they were incapable of giving laws to a reli-
gion they had protected and embraced. The empe-
rors still exercised a supreme jurisdiction over the ec-
clesiastical order, and no sooner were their offices
recognized and established by law, than the episcopal
chair was solicited, especially in the great and opulent
cities of the empire, as a temporal rather than a spirit-
ual dignity. (See chap. 1 : 6.)

" The interested views, the selfish and angry pas-
sions, the arts of perfidy and dissimulation, the secret
corruption, the open and bloody violence, which had
formerly disgraced the freedom of elections in the
commonwealth of Greece and Rome, too often influ-
enced the choice of the succession of the Apostles.

190 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

While one of the candidates boasted of the honors of
his family, a second allured his judges by the delica-
cies of a plentiful table, and a third, more guilty
than his rivals, offered to share the plunder of the
church among the accomplices of his sacrilegious
hopes." — Gibbon.

About A. D. 313, Constantine issued the edict of
Milan, which has been lauded as the great charter of
toleration and religious liberty to the Eoman world,
allowing each the privilege of choosing and professing
his own religion.

This edict was one of those artful strokes of po-
licy with which Constantine, by an insidious profession
of moderation and justice, tried the strength of reli-
gious parties in the empire. It opened the door to
the recognition of Christianity by law ; and, by occa-
sional revisions and amendments, operated to deprive
all who differed from him of civil and religious free-
dom.

At this time the authority of the Roman emperors
was acknowledged from Persia and the Euphrates to
England ; and from the Baltic sea to the desert of Sa-
hara. The empire embraced all those countries on
the southern and western shores of Europe, the south-
west of Asia and the north and east of Africa, includ-
ing the islands of the Mediterranean sea.

This was the apparent condition of the leading
commercial and warlike nation of the world, when, in
A. D. 315, Arius, a presbyter of the church of Alex-
andria in Africa, put forth the following sentiments,
which were new to the Christians, and were from the
first esteemed he;i'etical, viz. :

First That t^he Son of God is totally and essen-
tially distinct from the Father, but that he was the
first and noblest of those beings which God has cre-
ated— the instrument by whose subordinate operations
he formed the universe.

Secondly. That the Son was inferior in nature and
dignity to the Father.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 191

Thirdly. That the Holy Spirit was not God, but
created by the power of the Son.

Fourthly. That Christ had nothing of man in him
but the flesh, to which the Logos or Word was joined,
which Word was to Christ the same as the soul to
other men. They admitted that the Son was the
Word, but denied that the Word was eternal.

These opinions spread so rapidly in Africa, that in
the year 320, only five years after they were first pro-
mulgated by Arius, a council Avas called, and the doc-
trine condemned and anathematized at Alexandria.
A. D. 325, the fam.ous council, consisting of three hun-
dred and eighty fathers, was assembled at Nice in
Bithynia, by the Emperor Constantine, which took
into consideration the subject of Arianism and con-
demned it. Arius was banished. Thus, in ten years,
these pernicious ideas had spread throughout the Ko-
man empire.

But three years after this, A. D. 328, the Arians
had become so numerous, that the politic Constantine
recalled their leader and repealed the law enacted
against him. They soon obtained a majority in the
churches of Alexandria, Constantinople, and other
places, and the party became exceedingly strong in
many parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe. But the
provinces of Egj^pt and Asia, which cultivated the
manners and language of the Grreeks, had more deep-
ly imbibed the venom of the Arian controversy. The
familiar study of the Platonic system of philosophy,
which had been consecrated by " the church" to ex-
press the doctrines of the Christian faith, rendered the
Greeks more susceptible of the opinions of Arius, while
they affected to anathematize the name of the heretic.
But the churches of the West, Avhich cultivated the
language and copied the manners of Italy, were less
affected b}^ it.

A. D. 340, Arianism, within twenty -five years from
its first promulgation, surpassed in numbers, influ-

192 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

ence, wealth, and power, all other denominations of
professed Christians in the Roman empire, except
the Catholic, and its influence was felt, through its
missionaries, commerce, and embassies, far beyond the
jurisdiction of the emperor. But the Catholics, sup-
ported by the bishops of Rome, and the Latin churches,
were still its competitors for ecclesiastical dignities
and emoluments.

A. D. 349, on the death of Constantine, his sons
divided the empire, and formed two governments,
called the Eastern and Western Roman Empire, with
their capitals at Constantinople and Rome. In the
great and absorbing controversy of the times, the sons
and successors of Constantine took opposite sides.
While Constantius, from the throne of his deceased
father, espoused the Arian cause in the East, his bro-
ther Constans, favored with equal warmth the Catholic
party of the West, and both declared their readiness
to employ the troops and treasure of their respective
governments in behalf of their creeds. A religious
war was soon after waged between the two emperors.
Constans, emperor of the West, was killed in battle,
and Constantius succeeded to the Roman dominions of
Asia, Africa, and Europe. Although the Catholics
were a numerous party throughout the empire, and
particularly strong in Europe, yet the Arians held the
favor of their monarch and monopolized the wealth of
the churches. But the contest did not end with this
temporary triumph. It was still carried on with big-
otry, intolerance, and bloodshed. The Arians, backed
by the laws of the empire and the favor of their sover-
eign, enforced their religion by the formidable argu-
ments of the swords of the legions — the standing ar-
mies of the empire — or the more inhuman process of
torture. The Catholic bishops were forcibly dragged
from their altars, driven into exile, or assassinated, and
their places forcibly supplied by the assistance of the
soldiery, with the favorites of the emperor. "They

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 193

administered the sacraments of the church to the re-
luctant victims, who denied their vocation and abhor-
red their principles. The rites of baptism were con-
ferred on women and children^ who, for that purpose,
had been torn from the arms of their friends and pa-
rents; the mouths of the communicants were held open
by a wooden engine, while the consecrated bread was
forced down their throats." Against these things, es-
pecially the baptism of children, the Catholics every-
where protested as an innovation unscriptural and un-
just. Athanasius, in his third sermon against the
Arians, says, "Our Saviour hath not simply command-
ed to baptize ; bat first to teach, then baptize, because
true faith proceeds from teaching, and baptism rightly
follows faith."

A. D. 360. The synod of Rimini was convened,
composed of above four hundred bishops of Italy, Af-
rica, Spain, Gaul, Britain, and Illyricum. At the open-
ing of the debates, no more than eighty members of
the council publicly appeared to favor the Arian faith.
The minority were led by Yalens and Ursacius, two
bishops of Illyricum, who, by argument and negotiation,
embarrassed, confounded, and perhaps at last deceived
the council. A creed was subscribed in which some
expressions were inserted susceptible of being con-
strued to support the Arian sense. As soon as the
majority had returned to their respective dioceses, they
declared themselves dissatisfied, and offered too late to
return and rectify their error.

Thus by force, persuasion, or fraud, the eastern
and western dominions of the Roman empire, declared
themselves in favor of the doctrines of Arius.

AVe find this new party hitherto borne onward by
a strong current. In less than a third of a century
after its founder was recalled from banishment, it had
apparently attained the sovereignty of the world.

During this great conflict of the Catholics and Ari-
ans for political influence and power, the smaller par-
0

194 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

ties of Donatists, Novatians, Macedonians, Eunomians,
and their subdivisions, together with their secret and
lurking foes, the Pagans, were forgotten, or trampled
under foot and crushed. Now all these, together with
the Catholics, were prostrated, and the Arians were
triumphant. "But to them it was given that thej
should not kill them, but they should be tormented
five months."

We are now to contemplate this wonderful revolu-
tion in another light. At this very time, when Con-
stantius, upon his throne in the East, was receiving
intelligence of the Arian success, and before he could
adopt plans or institute measures to render his victo-
ries permanent, he received news that his cousin Ju-
lian was declared Augustus in Gaul, at the head of
the western legions, and was making vigorous prepa-
rations to maintain his title by arms. Julian had a
few weeks before celebrated the Catholic festival of
Epiphany, but now submitted his cause to Jupiter and
Minerva, the "immortal gods" of his ancestors, and by
an uninterrupted and rapid series of favorable events,
in a few months became master of the Eoman world, and
was admitted to the throne of Constantine. By an
edict he immediately extended to all his subjects a
free and equal toleration in religious worship. But
he fomented the implacable enmity and fierce disputes
of the Christian sects, and gradually superseded all
the ofScers of the army and state who professed
the Christian religion, and excluded them from all sta-
tions of profit and trust. He corrupted the legions by
rewards. He forbade Christians to teach their chil-
dren the arts of grammar and rhetoric. The powers
of government were intrusted to Pagans, who profess-
ed an ardent zeal for the religion of their ancestors,
and obliged the Christians (the term is here used tech-
nically) to bear the expense of rebuilding and adorn-
ing the temples, which had been demolished or dam-
aged during the preceding reign. Julian reigned less

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 195

than two years, but in the transient duration of his
power he revived the Pagan worship and enacted such
laws as for years crippled the ambition of the Catho-
lics and Arians.

A. D. 364. The feeble and unsettled ascendency
of Jovian gave a momentary hope to the leading fac-
tions of the church, but the advancement of Valentian
suspended their prospects and softened their manners
during a strong and fearless reign of twelve years.

A. D. 376. We are now to enter upon another
scene — "In those days shall men seek death'' — and,
for this purpose, we must retrace the time of our his-
tory to record one of the strangest phenomena ever
exhibited on a large scale to the contemplation of the
human mind. I refer to the well-known and often
repeated accounts of the Donatists and the subdivi-
sions of the same party under the name of Circumcel-
lions (or wanderers), Primianites, Maximianites or isis^
Montenses, Eupites, Campetes, &c.

This party fell off from the Catholics, A. D. 311, on
a dispute which arose out of the ordination or conse-
cration of a bishop at Carthage in Africa. They set
up an independent churcli in opposition to or compe-
tition with "the church," which was about this time
established by the laws of Constantine, by whom they
were deprived of their churches, their bishops banish-
ed on a charge of sedition, for not conforming to the
ever-varying temper of their monarch, and some of
their members put to death.

A. D. 361. On the accession of Julian to the throne
of Constantinople, they were permitted to return from
banishment and were restored to their former liberty.
They underwent some trouble after this, but it did
not seriously affect them as a body until the reign
of Honorius (a. d. 412), who by fine, banishment, or
martyrdom, attempted their extermination. On leav-
ing their own country they fled for protection to the
warlike Goths and Vandals, who formed a government

196 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

in Africa, A. D. 427-32. They survived the Yandal
government, but were totally suppressed (at least in
name, A. d. 600), at the beginning of the seventh cen-
tury, by Gregory, the Eoman pontiff.

About A. D. 320, the Donatists were seized with a
religious frenzy — from what cause is not very particu-
larly related — by which they were led to esteem mar-
tyrdom the highest glory of their being, the most ac-
ceptable worship of God, and the evidence of Christian
holiness and perfection. They Avandered about in
companies in search of executioners, or in the pre-
sence of crowds of applauding spectators, threw them-
selves from the tops of high rocks and were dashed in
pieces below. Some, lighting up large piles of fire,
cast themselves into the flames and were burned.
Others plunged themselves into the sea and were
drowned. At length they published beforehand the
day of their martyrdom ; then, visiting their friends,
they were fed and feasted on the choicest luxuries,
and receiving the congratulations of their brethren,
they set out to be destro3^ed. Some Avaylaid travel-
lers and offered money to be put to death, while others,
frantic for martyrdom and glory, plotted seditions
against the government or challenged to mortal com-
bat. It is indeed represented by historians {Theodoret^
Oihhon^ Buck^ &c.)^ however strange the story, that
they had no other object, but to die by the hands of
violence, and when they thus died, they were always
enrolled by their friends in the catalogue of saints and
martyrs. When they failed in securing their purpose,
they esteemed it a sign of heaven's disapprobation and
a cause of self-abasement, mortification, and reproach.
As a refinement of cruelty, or for a more satisfactory
revenge, or tired of bloodshed, or possibly from some
more praiseworthy and commendable motives, their
enemies often spared them the death they so earnestly
craved, and prolonged in chains or exile that life they
so ardently sought to destroy !

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 197

This history certainly fixes the time of " those
days" when men should "seek death," and when some
of them should not find it. This was between A. D.
811, and a. d. 600. To this period we are therefore
to look for the history of this trumpet.

We have now seen the fall of the "star," the rise
and spread of the " smoke," for half a century, until
the light of the church and of science were darkened ;
and we have fixed the time of that strange fanaticism
which deluded and maddened a numerous and exten-
sive body of professed Christians for several genera-
tions. We now proceed to sketch the history of those
destroyers or flocks of " locusts" who had " a king
over them ;" or, in other words, to see a half-civilized
nation, of various tribes or armies, professing Arian-
ism, taking a position where they worried and tor-
mented only those men who had not the seal of God
in their foreheads. Yet the Arians were, nevertheless,
the professed worshippers of Jehovah, and pretended
to be the only true followers of the Lamb ; they spared,
tolerated, protected, and even encouraged many of the
denominations and sects who were condemned to ex-
ile, or fled from the bloody hands of a persecuting and
idolatrous church.

A. D. 376. On the death of Yalentian he was suc-
ceeded by Yalens, who, from the Byzantine throne of
the eastern empire, recommended by arguments more
forcible than reason and eloquence, the belief of the
Arian theology, and a promiscuous execution of all
who differed from him, both innocent and guilty. The
Arians had become so exasperated at the wrongs they
had suffered from " the church," and the reproaches
and contumely they had endured during the preceding
reigns, that on obtaining power again, they determined
to exercise it for a firm and complete establishment of
their creed, and an utter extirpation of all Catholics
who refused an immediate compliance with their de-
mands. Yalens, however, had barely time to com-

198 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

mence his work of death, when he was visited by an
embassage of Goths [Visigoths, i. e. eastern Goths]
from the northeast of Europe, who, driven by a de-
luge of warlike Huns migrating westward from the
north of Asia, implored permission of the Komans to
settle in the waste lands of Thrace, on the northeast
limits of their dominions. Thus 200,000 warriors,
with nearly a million of attendants — wives, children,
and slaves — entered peaceably into the Roman em-
pire, headed by Eermanric. They were followed the
same ' year by Alutheus and Saphax, at the head of
the Ostrogoths (western Goths), who boldly passed the
Danube, and fixed their hostile and independent camp
within the territories of the Roman empire.

The Goths (Visigoths) were settled in Thrace ; the
Ostrogoths, in Phrygia and Lydia. They soon after
effected an imperfect union of their tribes under Al-
varius and Fritengen, and were joined by numbers of
discontented or persecuted Romans, who taught them
to adopt the creed of Arius.

Note. — Ulphilus was the armed missionary to the
Goths, A. D. 360-400. He subscribed to the creed of
Rimini, but propagated semi-Arianism, from which
the Goths first imbibed the Arian spirit and belief
They held their native language and customs, and
maintained their government independently of the
Roman emperor, but acknowledged his sovereignty
without submitting to the inferior jurisdiction of Ro-
man laws and magistrates. Their condition in this
respect was similar to that of the Indian tribes of
North America in the territories of the United States.

In addition to this powerful augmentation of the
Arian strength in the east, and contemporaneous with
Valens, the emperor of the west, Valentinian enforced
the Rimini compromise, by which the preponderance
was secured or claimed, by the followers of Arius,
twelve years.

On the death of Valens, A. d. 383, Theodosius as-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 199

cended the vacant throne of the east, and by a moder-
ate reign of three years, during which time he cor-
rupted, divided, and reduced the Goths to the friend-
ship and imperfect control of the Eomans, he gained
the respect and raised the drooping hopes of the down-
trodden and depressed ; but when (a. d. 387) he was
baptized by Acholius of Thessalonica into the faith of
the Catholics, he issued the following edic^, which
some say was prepared and read as he ascended from
the water:

" It is our pleasure, that all the nations which are
governed by our clemency and moderation, should
steadfastly adhere to the religion which w^as taught by
St. Peter to the Eomans, which faithful tradition has
preserved, and which is now professed by the pontiff
of Damascus, and by Peter, bishop of Alexandria, a
man of apostolic holiness. According to the discipline
of the apostles and the doctrines of the Gospel, let us
believe the sole deity of the Father, Son, and^ the Holy
Ghost, under an equal majesty and a pious Trinity.
We authorize the followers of this doctrine to assume
the title of Catholic Christians, and ^ve judge that all
others are extravagant madmen ; and we brand them
with the infamous name of heretics, and declare that
their conventicles shall no longer usurp the respecta-
ble name of churches. Besides the condemnation of
divine justice, they must expect to suffer the severe
penalties which our authority, guided by heavenly
wisdom, shall think proper to inflict upon them."

This edict was followed by others, describing of-
fences and fixing the penalties of disobedience. The
Arians were the first victims of this vengeance. The
sect w^as proscribed — their preachers exiled ^ — their
presbyters fined [ten pounds of gold = £400, or
$1,600] for assisting at the councils of ordination —
their meetings prohibited, and their peculiar opinions
held to disqualify them for any honorable or lucrative
employment.

200 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION.

The Manicheans next felt the weight of Theodo-
sius's indignant power. For the bare belief, or the
more daring crime of propagating the half-religious,
half-philosophical opinions of Manes, there was but
one penalty — death.

The Audians, who differed from the Catholics only
as to the particular day of holding the feast of Easter,
were for this crime threatened with death by the law.
All others falling between the extremes of Arians and
Audians, were pursued with the "severe penalties"
which the bigotry and despotic authority of Theodo-
sius thought "proper to inflict upon them." Exile,
confiscation of property, or the dungeon, were the
mildest forms of punishment which his "clemency
and moderation" ever thought proper to inflict for the
first offence of a difference of opinion, followed by tor-
ture, or the sanguinary swords of the legions, for a
repetition or perseverance in such misdemeanors. And
lest from obscurity or privacy any should escape, a
general council was convened at Constantinople, and an
inquisitor of the faith appointed, whose special duty
it was, among other things, to ferret out and bring to
light hidden opinions, and punish those who held
them.

Theodosius, having thus by law fixed the stigma
of heresy upon all who differed with him in the slight-
est shade of religious opinion or practice, and made
that heresy a capital crime, proceeded next (a. d. 390)
to subvert the temples of paganism which yet re-
mained within the empire. Without these, paganism
could not exist ; and the destruction was so complete
that it never revived. But the work of demolition
was carried on with a relentless spirit of ferocious bar-
barity against those monuments of ancient and classic
art, that reflected more the bigoted and brutal feelings
of a gladiatorial triumph, than the sublime moral gran-
deur of a Gospel conquest.

Thus sixtv vears after the conversion of Constan-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION, 201

tiue, paganism was entirely and for ever extinguislied
from the Roman empire.

A. D. SSb. The Catholics were now triumphant
in the east, nor were they less fortunate in the west.
Maximius usurped the dominions of Gratian, and de-
clared in their favor by sacrificing Priscillian and his
followers, the only sect which now dared to raise their
voice for religious liberty.

The Catholics were now established as a pohtico-
religious party, their bishops of the metropolitan cities
holding the ascendency over their brethren in their dio-
ceses or synods, but without acknowledging any supe-
rior or supreme head. The papacy was not yet formed ;
nor were the names of Eastern and Western, or Grecian
and Roman Catholics yet known. Yet they moulded
the opinions of Europe and Western Asia for many
years. And, as the unavoidable consequence of dis-
tance, of a difference in language and manners, and
above all, of the competition of rival capitals, a schism
was gradually wrought in the religon of the two em-
pires, which was in the course of a few centuries pre-
sented to the world under duplicate heads, whose
powers were at first, on the destruction of Rome, ex-
ercised by the patriarchs of the eastern empire. But
Rome revived from her ashes, and the eastern head of
the Catholic religion and the seat of the eastern em-
pire having been at length captured by the Turks, his
powers were transferred to the see of Rome, which
gave that pontiff sole command of the episcopal wor-
ship in the empire, and eventually over the world.
From this arose the papacy which, for twelve centu-
ries past, has crushed the liberties of Europe, trampled
upon the rights of conscience, and shed the blood of
the saints.

The Arians, unprotected and outlawed by the laws
of the empire, joined the standard of their Gothic bre-
thren, who, under Alaric, in the year 395, crossed the
Straits of Thermopylae — where Leonidas so long de-
9*

202 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETlC REVELATION.

fended Greece against the Persians — and descended
with an army of cavalry upon the plains of Phocis and
Beotia, massacred the males of an age to bear arms,
and carried away the females with the spoil and cat-
tle of the flaming villages. Ten years after, and while
Alaric was yet hovering over the empire of the east,
Kodogast, or Rodogasius, at the head of an army of
200,000 fighting men, with their wives and attendants
- — in all 400,000 or more, consisting of Vandals, Suevi,
Burgundians, and Alani, issuing from the veins of the
Baltic, poured their inundating hordes upon Italy, pene-
trated to Rome, and soon after formed a juction with
Alaric.

About the same time (a. d. 408), Honorius, em*
peror of the west, by his command, or the connivance
of his ministers, perfidiously and inhumanly procured
the massacre of the Gothic atid other foreign hostages,
in all the cities of Italy. Thus practically verifying a
maxim of his church, that he was " not bound to keep
faith with heretics." This excited the indignation and
revenge of the foreign soldiers employed in the ser-
vice of the emperor ; and, as by one consent, 30,000
deserted his standard, now at Ravenna, and joined the
army of Alaric, who immediately invested Rome, inter-
cepted all connection with the country, and guarded
the navigation of the Tiber. Within two years the
city was betrayed to Alaric by a conspiracy of disaf-
fected inhabitants. The city was spared, but its wealth
pillaged by the army of the conqueror. From Rome
the Yandals proceeded to Spain, whence, under the
brave and intrepid Genseric, they crossed over the
Straits of Gibraltar into Africa, where they were hailed
as friends and deliverers by the Arians, Donatists,
Manicheans, and the new sect of Pelagians, by whom
Genseric was assisted in establishing his empire, after
the fall of Carthage, the last obstacle to his ambition,
A. D. 427.

During all this time the legions of the empire

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 203

offered little resistance to either Alaric, Kodogast, or
Genseric. Tlieodosius, concealed within the walls of
Constantinople, employed his troops for his personal
safety, or as executioners of his religious foes; and
Honorius, shut up in the citadel of Ravenna, seemed to
be satisfied with guarding his own treasures against
the depredations of the invaders, while he left his em-
pire to be the prey and booty of the conquerors. St.
Jerome affirms that in the march of the Vandals and
Goths through Panomia, and from Constantinople to
the Julian Alps, on the northern borders of Italy,
nothing was left but the sky and the earth ; that after
the destruction of the cities and the extirpation of the
human race, the land was overgrown with thick forests
and inextricable brambles ; and that the universal deso-
lation announced by Zephaniah 1 : 2, 3, was accom-
plished in the scarcity of the beasts, the birds, and
even the fish."

Having fortified his power in Africa, Genseric, with
an army of Goths, Vandals, Numidians, Moors, &c. (a. d.
455), invaded Italy, sacked and pillaged Rome, and
carried off many thousands of the inhabitants of both
sexes prisoners to his dominions. Among the spoils
were said to be the sacred vessels of the Jewish tem-
ple, taken and preserved by Titus, and the furniture
of the Catholic churches, which had been enriched by
superstition and rapine. The Goths became masters
of the sea; and as a commercial, warlike, scientific,
and enterprising people, during a century stood first
among the nations of the earth. The descendants of
those Goths and Vandals who under Genseric were
fierce, warlike, and intractable barbarians, became in
three generations a refined people. Prosperity and a
warm climate had dissolved their hardy virtues, free-
dom, bravery, and self-denial ; and they had insensi-
bly become the most luxurious of mankind. In their
villas and gardens, which might deserve the name of
paradises, they enjoyed a cool and elegant repose ;

204 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

and, after the daily use of the bath, these descendants
of barbarians were seated at a table profusely spread
with the delicacies of the land and sea. Their silken
robes, loosely flowing, after the fashion of the Medes,
were embroidered with ^old. Love and hunting were
the labors of their life ; their vacant hours were given
to theatres, pantomimes, chariot races, music, and the
dance.

When the Goths and Yandals had become settled
and consolidated in Africa, they sometimes attempted
to establish a religious uniformity upon the creed of
Arius. Huneric, Gundamund, and Thrasimund, were
zealous for conformity to the national religion, and
corrupted and even put to death some who differed.
But reason generally soon returned, and the purpose
was dropped ; but they made perpetual war upon the
territories of the Catholics, and continually treated
them in an unfriendly and hostile manner until A. D.
532, when Justinian, emperor of the Komans, from his
throne in the east, called a council to consult upon the
propriety of attempting their conquest, for the ^^ pur-
pose of abolishing Arianism, and establishing upon its ru-
ins the Catholic faithP In this council, Justinian was
opposed by his most influential ministers, and tlje de-
sign was upon the point of being relinquished, when a
priest arose and addressed Justinian: " I have seen a
vision. It is the will of heaven, O emperor, that you
should not abandon your holy enterprise for the de-
liverance of the African church. The God of battles
will march before your standard, and disperse your
enemies who are the enemies of his Son." This speech,
which reflects a gleam of light upon the times, is said
to have determined the unsettled mind of the empe-
ror, and he sent Belisarius, at the head of a small but
well regulated force, into Africa, where he was met
by Gelimer, the Vandalic king, at the head of a large
but disconcerted army. In the first battle Belisarius
obtained important advantages, which he skilfully im-

(

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 205

proved into a decided victory (Sept. 11, A. D. 533).
He obtained possession of Carthage, the capital of the
Yandalic kingdom, which gave him command of the
sea and harbors of Africa, and the cities and fortresses
submitted in detail to the victors.

" Impatient to abolish the temporal and spiritual
tyranny of the Vandals, Justinian proceeded without
delay to the full establishment of the Catholic church.
Her jurisdiction, wealth, and immunities — perhaps the
most essential part of the episcopal worship — were re-
stored and amplified with a liberal hand. The Arian
worship was suppressed, the Donatist meetings pro-
scribed, and the synod of Carthage, by the voice of
two hundred bishops, applauded the just measure of
pious retaliation." — Gibbon.

I now return to consider the history of Eome after
the conquest of Genseric, A. D. 455.

A. D. 476. Odoacer, a foreigner and barbarian
king of the Scurri [of the race of the Scyrri?], obtained
possession of Rome and Italy. He was dethroned by
Theodoric, an Arian, king of the Ostrogoths, A. D. 490.
But the people of Italy were attached to the Nicene
creed of religious opinions, so zealously defended by
Athanasius. That is, the people of Italy were Catholics,
and their conquerors Arians. A. D. 536, Rome was
taken, or rather betrayed into the hands of Belisarius,
at the head of Justinian's forces. A. D. 546, the city
was besieged by Totilla, a Goth, and soon after fell
into his hands. One-third of the wall in different
parts was by his command thrown down; the inhabit-
ants were compelled, by famine or force, to follow his
army, and Rome, "the eternal city," was left forty
days without an inhabitant — a desolate and dreary
solitude.

The next year, Rome was retaken and fortified by
Belisarius, soon after which he was recalled to Constan-
tinople, and A. D. 549, Totilla again took the city.
The senate was transported and scattered, and the in-

206 OUTLINES OK PROPHETIC REVELATION.

stitutions of lioumlus, after a period of thirteen cen-
turies, ceased to exist for ever. Thus the power of
the two empires were concentrated in the hands of
Justinian, and Constantinople stood alone the mistress
of the nations.

After the departure of Belisarius, the army of Jus-
tinian was intrusted to Narses, who, during the year
652, retook the city of Kome, and pursued the Gothic
army as far as Mount Lactaria, near the Po, where in a
general battle the remains of the Gothic nation profess-
ing Arianism were cut off. As a last refuge, Arianism
took shelter among the Lombards, with whom it was
finally suppressed in their conversion, by law and the
sword (a. Dt 612), about three centuries from the time
of Arius ; but it was again partially revived by So-
cinus in Poland (a. ix 1604), whence, more or less
pure, it has spread throughout the Christian world
under the names of Christians, Unitarians, Methodists,
&c.

These wars, by which Arianismi was subverted in
Africa, cost two millions of lives ; the establishment of
the Catholics in Italy cost, in the single reign of Jus-
tinian, eio-ht or ten millions more; and the decrease
of population, in some of those fairest parts of the
globe, has never been compensated. After these wars
were ended, Narses was created exarch, or deputy
governor, of Italy, at Kavenna (a. d. 554). Soon after
this, and during the administration of Narses, the Ro-
man bishop began for the first to figure in civil juris-
diction. These wars had entirely changed the face
of the world. Rome, the rival of Constantinople, had
fallen and been made desolate ; and the latter city, vic-
torious and triumphant, gave laws to the empire. On
the re-peopling of Rome, the city was deprived by her
jealous mistress of the east, of civil power, and the capi-
tal of Italy and the western empire was located at Ra-
venna. But Rome was destined yet to revive, and
become the centre of a religious despotism, under the

OUTLINES OF FEOFHETIC KEVELATION. 207

papacy or western Catholics, more sanguinary and ter-
rible than any that had been exercised before.

Let us now compare this history with the emblems
of the text.

1st. The fifth angel sounds his trumpet, and the
wars of Constantine, or rather his success, prepares the
way for the fifth great religious conflict.

A star falls from heaven to the earth, Arius, a pres'
byter of Alexandria, in Africa, apostatizes and appeals
to civil force.

2d. The key of Arius, that is, the principles he
promulgated, were idolatrous, and soon blinded the
church, beclouded science, and perverted the govern-
ment.

3d. Tribes of warlike Goths, Vandals, Suevi, Alani,
Scurri, Burgundians, Moors, Hungarians, &c. &c., with
the destructive propensities of scorpions and locusts,
and quite as numerous, arose to assert the cause of
Arianism. They were engaged in perpetual piratical
wars, and no opportunity of mischief escaped them.
Nor did the Catholic rule in Africa, which continued
less than a century, when it was overturned by the
faith of Islam, set a better example, or soften the man-
ners of the Arian descendants. Professing the reli-
gion of Mahomet, they continued a piratical and law-
less people, until the iSTorth American States arose to
assert their claims, as an indpendent maritime power,
in the commercial marts of the world.

4th. Their desolations were limited to the destruc-
tion of such property and cities as might torment the
enemies of God, more especially to Catholics and
other idolaters.

5th. The Arians, although they often had the ad-
vantage, and seemed to inflict mortal wounds upon
the Catholics, could never subdue them, but were
themselves at length overcome.

The power of the Arians was to continue five pro-
phetic months; that is, 150 years. There are two pe-

208 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

riods from wliicli we may date their continuance. Hie
lirst is from tlie coronation of Theodosius (a. d. 883) —
when the Arians left the Roman empire, and took
shelter with the Goths near the Danube — to the fall of
the Vandalic kingdom, in Africa (a d. 533), compris-
ing precisely 150 years. The second is from the time
in which Alaric ravaged Phocis and Beotia (a. d 395-
99), until Totilla spent the remaining force of the
Goths and Vandals in the destruction of Rome (a. d.
546-49), being also just 150 years. This answers to
verse 10.

There may possibly be another 150 years alluded
to in verse 5, during which this sect was trouble-
some, although nearly on an equal footing with their
foes. Arius arose A. d. 315; down to a. d. 383, the
time of Theodosius, is 68 years. From the conquest
of the Arians in Africa (a. d. 533), to the suppression
in Lombardy (a. d. 612) is 79 years^ which added to
the above 68, make 147, being three years short of the
prediction. The former is therefore the time of 150
years prophesied of, during which tliej " had a king
over them."

6th. In those days shall men seek death &c. This
was illustrated in the history of the Donatists, &c., and
there is no other past history of the world, in which
this prophecy is illustrated and fulfilled, so that those
who deny the truth of these outlines, are brought to
the alternative of proving that this Scripture is either
false or future.

7th and 8th. See their settlement and refinement
in Africa.

9th and 10th. The Gothic armies were mostly of
cavalry, and the vast train of their attendants and bag-
gage, in carriages, and of vehicles of every description,
answers to the sound of chariots, while their soldiery
fought with darts, arrows, spears, &c., and were clad in
breastplates and armor of steel, which have never
been used by civilized nations since the invention of
gunpowder and its use in war.

OUTLII^ES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 209

lltb. They liad a king^ &c. They were formed into
a kiiitrdom in Africa, havino^ miofrated from the circuit
of the Roman empire, and, Hke locusts, without an in-
tention of returning. To Africa they transported the
consecrated and sacred furniture of Pagan, Catholic,
and Jewish worship, whence it never returned, and
the names of Goth and Vandal have become asso-
ciated in every nation and every language, where a
history of their invasion has been written, Avith all
that is rude, piratical and destructive ; the very terms
in English are sj-nonymous with ferocity and barbar-
ism. The Vandals were a people of Gothic origin. In
xlfrica they were joined b}^ the Moors, Numidians,
Copts, and other tribes, both from the forests of Mount
Atlas and the shores of the Mediterranean.

Many of them were in a process of cultivation, and
ranged through every degree of improvement, from
savage and half-civilized to civilized. From Rome
they learned the arts of regular warfare. Repeated
injuries and a ruthless spirit roused them to conquest
and revenge. The whole career of Alaric was sangui-
nary and destructive. He paid no respect to age, sex,
or condition. The improvements of civilization and
the works of art, which fell in his way, were every
where destroyed. He was soon followed by Attila, at
the head of the Huns [Heruli ?] who overrun the east-
ern empire, A. d. 452. His successes invited him to
another attack, which was made upon the western em-
pire, and we hear of him as far as Gaul. Wherever
he went it could in truth be said of him as of the lo-
custs in the Scripture, " Before him was as the garden
of Eden, and behind him a desolate Avilderness." Joel
2 : 3. Genseric, with 300,000 men from Africa, in-
vaded Rome, which he took, and, with Eudoxia the
queen, carried many thousands into captivity. Odo-
acer, and after him Totilla, led on the rereward of
the Gothic nations, and destroyed all their predeces-
sors had spared or the Italians rebuilt. Those from

210 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

the nortlieast were of a swarthy complexion, and
those from Africa, brown or black.

The various independent chiefs who at first wore
''crowns," afterwards submitted to the necessity of
their position, acknowledged a single leader as king,
and became consolidated into a general government.
Their whole history and description accord with the
emblems of the text, and they are not found elsewhere
in the annals of the world.

Eeflections. — I cannot persuade myself to dis-
miss the interesting history of the fifth trumpet, with-
out calling the reader's attention to these reflections :

1st. The doctrines of Arianism, through all their
history, are looked upon in the Scriptures as the key
to the bottomless pit — the doctrines of devils, and a
source of affliction and darkness to the church and the
world.

2d. The Catholics are regarded as " those men
who have not the seal of God in their foreheads,"
from the days of Constantine, or at least from the days
of Theodosius — when their name was legahzed, and
the episcopal worship identified and settled — to the
reign of Justinian and Narses, when incipient papacy
began to develope itself in the person of the bishop
of Home.

All hough the doctrines of Arius darkened the
lights of religion and science throughout the world,
yet the various tribes and nations that swarmed to this
apostacy from Northern Europe, Asia, and Africa,
held perpetual hatred to none but the Greek and Latin
Catholics of the Roman Empires.

Verse 12.— Oi(e woe is past; and behold, there come two woes
more hereafter.'

In the subversion of the Goths by the Catholics,
one woe should be accomplished. Two more woes

» Ch. 8 : 10 ; 2 The's. 2:8: ch. 19 : 20.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 211

under the next two trumpets should afflict and irritate
the world. Until this, the universal reign of Christ
must be delayed. After these woes are past, every
thing will assist the brightness of his coming and favor
his approach.

During the prevalence of the second woe, the
Church is lost as in a wilderness, and the whole his-
tory of the times is made by its enemies an instrument
to subserve the purposes of deception.

Verse 13. — And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice
from the four' horns of the golden altar which is before God,

Verse 14. — Saying to the sixth angel which- had the trumpet,
Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

Verse 15. — And the four angels were loosed, which were pre-
pared for an hour,^ and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay
the third part of men.

Verse 16. — And the number of the army of the* horsemen
w^ere two hundred thousand thousand :» and I heard the number of
them.

Verse 17. — And thus I saw the horses in the^ vision, and them
which sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, b and
brimstone : and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions ;
and out of their mouths i.ssued fire, and smoke, and brimstone.

Verse 18. — By these three was the third part of® men killed,
by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued
out of their mouths.

Verse 19. — For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails :
for their tails were'^ like unto serpents, and had heads, and with
them they do hurt.

Verse 20. — And the rest of the men which were not killed by
these plagues, yet repented^ not of the works of their hands, that
they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and

• Heb. 9 : 24 ; 10 : 21 ; ver. 1, and cli. 8 : 6.

2 Gen. 2 : 14 ; 2 Sam. 8:3; Jer. 51 : 63 ; ch. S : 2 ; 16 : 12.

3 1 Sam. 23: 26: ch. 12: 16.

4 Ps. 68 . 1 8 ; Dan. 7 : 10.
^ Two hundred millions.

5 Gen. 19 : 24 ; Ps. 11 : 6 ; Isa. 30 : 33 ; Eze. 38 : 22 ; also 1 Chrou. 12 :
8; Isa. 5: 28; ch. 14: 10.

»j Gr. Hyacinth (vaKiv^luovs), i. e. blue.

6 Ch. 8:7; 9: 11 ; vcr. 5: 10.

7 Ch. 2 : 11 ; 6 : 6 ; 7 : 2 ; also Isa. 9:5; Eph. 4 : 14.

8 Lev. 17 : 7 ; Deut. 31 : 17 ; 32 : 17 ; Ps. 106 : 37 ; 115 : 5 ; 135 : 15.

212 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither cjin see, nor hear, nor
walk.

Verse 2L — Neither repented they of their' murders, nor of
their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Emblems of the Text. — Before defining the sym-
bols of tlie foregoing Scripture, I would remark that
the emblems of the sixth trumpet continue to the fif-
teenth verse of the eleventh chapter. And the trum-
pet is, from the nature of its subjects, divided into
three parts, all of which are contemporaneous. The
first part refers to the great religious war against the
wicked, and is contained in ch. 9: 13 to the end. The
second part embraces all the tenth chapter, and the
third part all of the twelfth chapter to the fourteenth
verse.

1st. (Verse 13.) The sixth angel sonnds his trum-
pet, and the sixth religious war ensues. The voice from
the horns of the altar of God is not so much from the
place of offerings as from the place of sanctuary and
safety. The voice arose from all the angels at once,
or from each in succession, varying in the term of time
each was prepared for slaughter.

2d. (Verse 14.) Loose the four angels. The cardinal
numeral /oz«', appears to be literal, otherwise I know of
no data by which to ascertain its meaning. As there
are four terms of prophetic time in the next verse, one
term for each angel to operate, I conclude that it is
literal. These angels, or messengers of death and
slaughter, were then "bound," but were prepared to
slay as each was successively loosed from the river
Euphrates.

River ^ in some places of Scripture, is made the em-
blem of marching armies and moving people; at others
the spirit or principles by which they are impelled, but
in this place it seems to be used only to designate a
geographical locality. But if figurative, the text would

i Isai 49 : 9 ; Dan. 7 : '21 ; Mai. 3:5; Mat. 15 : 19 ; 2 Co. 12 : 91.

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC EEVELATION. 213

designate tlie spirits of those four great powers of Nine-
veh, Babylon, Shushan, and Damascus, previously rul-
ing the country of the Euphrates.

Euphrates is first named in Scripture by Moses in
his description of Eden. It is there represented as a
branch of that river which watered the garden. The
four branches of the river of Eden formed a junction
near where they entered the garden. One branch
which arose in Havilah (Havilah was called Pison),
the second branch was Gihon, which came from Gush,
the third was Hiddekel, which came by or through
Assyria, and the fourth was Euphrates, so that the
Jordan was on the head of an estuary, or gulf, which
emptied into the Indian Ocean. Unless there were
two of these rivers, the face of that country and the
course of the river survived the deluge.

The Euphrates takes its rise in Armenia, in Western
Asia, thence in a circuitous course southwardly, bearing
to the east, empties into the Persian Gulf. This river
formed the eastern boundary of the empire of David and
Solomon. The Assyrian, Chaldean, Medo-Persian, and
Syro- Median empires, were all situated npon its wa-
ters. In Assyria, Sabianism took its rise (ch. 8 : 6, 7),
which gradually degenerated into open idolatry. The
Chaldeans were idolaters at an early age. The Medes
and Persians worshipped the simple element of fire ;
but the Syro-Medians, like the Babylonians, multiplied
the visible figures of their veneration, and worshipped
the conquered gods of all their provinces. All these
were religious worshippers, it is true, but they either
reviled or resisted the worship of Jehovah, or attempt-
ed to compete with him by assuming his attributes,
usurping his authority, or establishing a religion hos-
tile to his. Now, if tins was intended to represent the
religious spirit of these four powers, the ruling traits
would be :

1st. Reviling and blaspheming the true religion,
like the Ninevites.

214- OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC EEVELATION.

2d. A restless spirit of conquest, like the Babylo-
nians.

3d. A changeable design of favoring the true reli-
gion, the establishment of fornication as an item of
their system, and the utter proscription of visible idola-
try, like the Persians.

4th. Like the Syro-Medians, exhibiting a tenacious
and persevering determination to fetter the conscience,
and extend their own religon by law or the sword over
the nations.

From the foregoing expositions we might be led to
look for a new religion arising among the nations near
the Euphrates, and among a wandering or roving peo-
ple, in opposition to, or competition with, the religion
of Jesus Christ, which should revile that religion, while
it spares its votaries, possessing a restless spirit of con-
quest, proscribing idolatry, and all other religions, but
establishing itself by force over the nations.

3d. (Verse 15.) And the four angels were loosed^ &c.
By this is understood that four nations are raised up
successively, and brought into religious war with the
nations of the world, during four distinct eruptions of
the prophetic times of an hour, a day, a month, and a
year, equal to three hundred and ninety-one years and
fifteen days, common time (ch. 2 : 10) ; and slay^ that
is, conquer or destroy the third part of men. (See
Death, ch. 6 : 8.)

Itb. (Verse 16.) Armyofhorseraen. (See of horse,
ch. 6.) By the infusion of a new religious impulse,
armies of cavalry from the country of the Euphrates,
are the angels of the river which arouse and move to
conflicts and the destruction of the third part of men.

The number in Greek of the army of the horsemen
is " two myriad of myriads," that is, twice ten thou-
sand times ten thousand — two hundred millions — and
seems to be similar in import to the great number of
the angels about the throne reported ch. 5 : 11, if
precisely the same number is not intended. So ex-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 215

traordinary a number seems great beyond reason, and
Ave may affirm that no nation, or four of them, since the
Christian era, has been able to raise or equip at one
lime, or during the course of one generation, so great
an army. But as these eruptions were to continue at
distant intervals for nearly four centuries, might not
each century produce its quota of fifty millions, that is,
five hundred thousand a year? But has this ever been
literally verified in the equipment of new recruits ?
and must we conclude either that the prophecy has
not yet been accomplished, or that this number ex-
ceeds the prophetic computation ? Others compute
the number. at two hundred thousand doubled, making
four hundred thousand, which seems too few and in-
sufficient for the task assigned them.

There are two other considerations by which some
have attempted to throw light on this point. 1st. That
the number is indefinite, and indicates only a great mul-
titude ; but we may except to this on the ground, that
John repeats that he heard the number of them, mean-
ing that notwithstanding the extraordinary greatness
of the sum, it was neverthless true, which would need
no such attestation if the army was but four hundred
thousand. 2d. If all who profess this new religion are
numbered as a part of the army, two hundred millions
of men may not be found an extravagant estimate, and
the number capable of bearing arms or liable to do mili-
tary duty, might in four centuries equal, if not exceed,
the amount. This may be the intention. Or more
probably friend and foe are included in the estimate.

5. (Yerse 17.) In this verse we are presented with
a singular transition from the prophetic to the expla-
natory. Breastplates — emblems of defence. (See ch. 9 :
9.) Fire. (See ch. 4: 5.) Jacinth (Greek, Hyacinth) —
blue, like smoke. (See ch. 21 : 20.) This is a hard pre-
cious stone, and is the eleventh foundation of the New
Jerusalem. Brimstone (Greek, Sulphur). — Yellowish,
or burning. This is the symbol of purification or per-

216 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

petual desolation. Smoke. (Cli. 8 : 5.) Mouth is the
emblem of a minister or agent.

6th. (Verse 18-19.) Tails like serpents. Tails are
the symbols of base governments, deputies and depen-
dents. " The prophet that teacheth lies, he is the
tail." (Isa. 9: 15.) Serpent — the symbol, 1st, of the
devil; 2d, of subtlety and cunning, enmity, and false-
hood. Head is the " leader" or governor. That which
goes before or exists prior. (See Isa. 9 : 15.) " The an-
cient and honorable, he is the head."

7th. (Verse 20-21.) If the Goths and Vandals
under the fifth trumpet could be said to have onl}^
tormented their enemies, what must have been the ex-
tent of these wars, in which the third part of men are
not only " hurt" but "killed!" " The rest of the men
repented not." What men? "Idolaters, murderers,
sorcerers, fornicators, and thieves," are mentioned in
the text; and these are the "Christians" and "Chris-
tian nations" against which commentators generally
wage this war ! By these plagues. This is the first
time the word plagues is used in the Revelation, and
besides this it is used six times. This trumpet is
represented as the second plague or woe which, by the
judicial providence of God, and over which he held
an entire control, was inflicted upon wicked men, that
they might be brought to repentance for their wicked-
ness. The Gospel had been before preached to them,
but it was found in the end that neither the mercies of
the Gospel nor the torments of plagues could reclaim
these men, or bring them to repent of "the works of
their hands." Quere. — Has God established any con-
nection between punishment and purity, or between
torments and repentance ?

Having now inquired into the meaning of these
prophetic emblems, let us review them, and ask where
we shall find their fulfilment in history. The sixth
angel sounds, and a new religion arises near the river
Euphrates in opposition to every other religion known

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 217

upon earth, the votaries of which, during a rapid series
of conquests, of four different eruptions of Jess than
four centuries, overcome a third part of the population
of the world, but do not change the moral face of things
beyond the line or time of their victories.

History. — (a. d. 530 to 566.) The Arian empire
had been crushed by the concentrated and overwhelm-
ing forces of the Catholics under Belisarius and Narses,
The Emperor Justinian was left at the head of the
Byzantine empire, upon the full tide of glory, to set-
tle without a competitor the affairs of his country, and
establish his particular religious tenets upon a safe and
permanent footing. The dominions of Constantine
and the countries which had bowed to the sceptre of
Augustus, acknowledged his sovereignty and respected
his will. But Julian, a religious pretender, excited the
Jews and Samaritans to sedition, and involved his fol-
lowers in a war with the Eomans, by which multitudes
on both sides were destroyed, and himself taken priso-
ner and slain.

The Turks (a. d. 545), a new and unknown tribe,
or rather a great number of tribes, from the north of
Asia, now commenced a movement to the westward.
Under Bertezana, their first general, they overflowed
Tartary, and carrying their victorious arms from the
Arctic Circle to Persia, and from China to the Euxine,
threatened with a vast army the empire of Constanti-
nople. But on the death of their leader, the Turks
were weakened by insubordination and divisions, and
their empire fell into three parts, which were unsuccess-
fully invaded by the Persians and other nations. But
about this time, also, a foe more destructive than an in-
vading army made its appearance. A plague arose,
or was first reported, in Egypt, which swept off multi-
tudes of the human race, and continued its ravao-es for
fifty years, by which many cities were much thinned,
and others entirely depopulated. Earthquakes buried
many inhabitants beneath their houses; cities were
10

218 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

razed ; the seas and lakes, from Spain to Persia, were
lifted up, and the waters having overflowed, the peo-
ple dwelUng along the borders perished.

The nations were also frightened by the appear-
ance of comets, whose return, however, appears to be the
result of the settled laws of the universe. But whether
they influence the seasons, earthquakes, or inundations,
or decide by any unknown or invisible agency or laws,
the destiny of mankind, is disputed. It is certain that
comets excite the curiosity and fear of men, and that
while thus disquieted, their minds have often received
the ideas of others, and become subservient to the Avishes
of the aspiring and crafty.

During the reign of Justinian, in the wars by which
lie broke the power of the Arians, more than two mil-
lions of men lost their lives in Africa, and not less
than from eight to ten millions in Italy. Asia was
also convulsed by wars in every part. Add to this
destruction of the sword, the untold numbers wasted
by earthquakes and pestilence, and we have the causes
for the decrease of population in some of the fairest
and most thickly inhabited countries of the globe.
Their numbers, in more than twelve centuries, have
never been restored.

At the close of a long and triumphant reign, hav-
ing witnessed the firm and solid growth of his sove-
reign opinions, the establishment of the ( piscopal wor-
ship, and the overthrow of his enemies, Justinian was
gathered to his fathers, and his vacant throne passed
into other hands. The powers of the empire were
divided or usurped by men in whose feeble or san-
guinary grasp they were at first paralyzed ; and from
whom at length they were gradually wrested by the
ambitious patriarch of Eome, who since the days of
JSTarses, when the Pope first figured in political juris-
prudence, had been cherished by the empire as the true
and authorized successor of St. Peter, and who claimed
to be the sinless and infallible head of the church on

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 219

earth, and the holy centre of unity to the Christian
world. While these things were transpiring in the
heart of the empire, from A. D. 570 to 600, and the
bishops were gradually absorbing the civil powers and
revenues of the state, an incident occurred during the
triumph of Heraclius, emperor of the east, at Constan-
tinople, or Jerusalem, over the Persians and Avars
(a. d. 628-30), which, although it was unimportant of
itself, marked the epoch of a mighty and lasting revo-
lution.

An obscure town on the confines of Syria, but in
the dominions of Heraclius, was taken and pillaged by
a band of Saracenic Arabs, who defeated and cut to
pieces some troops who advanced to its relief. This
was the first attack made by the followers of Mahomet
upon the territories of a neighboring state, and hap-
pened A. D. 628-30.

Mahomet, under whose auspices this invasion was
commenced, was born at Mecca, in Arabia, of Abdal-
lah and a Jewess, Amina [or Emina], four years after
the death of Justinian, in the forty-first year of Chosroes
[or Khosru] Nushivan, the monarch of Persia; in the
year 881 of the Seleucidan era; in the year 1316 of
Nabonassa, and between A. d. 569-71 — before the
Hegira, 52 ; making the date of the Hegira a. d. 622.

He is described as having "displayed from his in-
fancy reflection and a fiery imagination. He was gener-
ous beyond his fortune ; compassionate, susceptible of
warm friendship, and abandoned to licentious plea-
sures ; of a serious demeanor, a dignified manner, an
animated and pleasing expression of countenance ; of
the middle stature, well proportioned, and his features
striking, and strongly marked.

His father having died early he was left an orphan
under the care of his mother. In his twentieth year
he took up arms in the sacred war, which his tribe, the
Koreish, waged against the robbers who disturbed the
pilgrimage to Mecca.

220 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Five years after, he engaged as a merchant in the
employment of a widow, Chadija, in the fairs of Da-
mascus. This woman he afterwards married, and be-
came the master of her wealth.

Mahomet found the majority of his countrymen in-
clined to idolatry ; but among them many who were
proselytes to Judaism, and some who professed Chris-
tianity.

A. D. 490-95, Naowash, the Arab chief of Hamyor,
in Yemen, a Jewish proselyte, raised a persecution
against the native Christians, whose cause was espoused
by the prince of Abyssinia in Africa, a professed Chris-
tian, who conquered the Arabs, and, annexing Yemen
to his dominions, governed the province by means of
deputies. Mahomet deplored the condition of his coun-
try and the departures from the ancient customs, and
learning from his mother that the Jews were still ex-
pecting the Champion of Israel, and claiming descent
from Abraham in the line of both his parents, he con-
ceived, or pretended to conceive himself born to restore
the fallen condition of his own people and the uni-
form worship of the one true God. For this purpose
he proclaimed himself the prophet of the Most High,
A. D. 6u8, in the thirty-eighth year of his age; and
fourteen years afterwards, A. D. 622, he was expelled
from Mecca by the storm raised there through his preach-
ing, and fled to Medina, about 150 miles to the north.
This is called the "Flight" or "Hegira," and is the era
from which the Mahometans date their year. After
an absence of eight years, Mahomet returned to Mecca
with a sufficient force to capture the city, which capitu-
lated and received him as a prophet, A. D. 630.

Mahomet taught, 1st. That there is one only true
God — a pure and holy spirit, who made the world and
regulates all its motions, and the actions of all creatures,
by unchangeable laws, the result of immutable decrees.
2d. That there are angels possessed of pure and sub-
tle bodies, created of fire, which neither eat, nor drink,

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 221

nor propagate tlieir species. 3d. That there will be a
general resurrection and a future judgment. 4:th. That
Mahomet was one, and the last, of more than three
hundred apostles, among the most noted of whom were
Moses, David, and Jesus, who had been sent by special
commissions from the true God, to improve, instruct, or
reclaim men, and turn them from infidelity, supersti-
tion, and idolatry, to the belief and worship of himself.
5th. That the Koran contains the only true account
of God's revealed will to men ; and that although many
accounts of his will and acceptable worship have been
published by previous apostles, yet they are now so
altered, adulterated, or corrupted, that they are no
longer worthy of credit.

Christians and Jews were allowed to hold their own
faith and modes of worship on paj^ment of tribute, but
were forbidden to propagate their religion beyond their
own families. All others, whether Sabians, Pagans, or
Maguins, were obliged to profess the religion of Ma-
homet on pain of death.

Within two years after Mahomet returned to Mec-
ca, he died, and was succeeded by Abubeker, the first
caliph, who reigned a little more than two years, and
died A. D. 635. During the reign of Abubeker, his
lieutenant, Caled [or Khaled] marched an army to
the Euphrates, made an inroad into the territory of
the allies of Persia, and reduced the cities of Anbar
and Hira, all or nearly all Arabia having submitted
to the Islam faith. The following year (a. d. 633, A.
H. 11), the Saracens invaded the Roman provinces of
Syria, belonging to Constantinople. In an address to
his troops, starting upon this expedition, Abubeker
said : " When you fight the battles of the Lord acquit
yourselves like men, without turning your backs, but
let not your victories be stained with the blood of
women and children. (Deut. 20: 14.) Destroy no
palm-trees, nor burn any fields of corn, cut down no
fruit-trees (Deut. 20: 19-20), nor do any mischief to

222 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC KEVELATION.

cattle, only such as you kill to eat. When you make
any covenant or article, stand to it and be as good as
your word. As you go on you will find some reli-
gious persons who live retired in monasteries, and pro-
pose to themselves to serve God in that way. Let
them alone, and neither kill them nor destroy their
monasteries ; and you will find another sort of people
who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who have
shaven crowns, be sure you cleave their skulls, and
give no quarter till they either turn Mahometans or
pay tribute."

This speech was delivered by the politic Abubeker,
before he knew the result of his armies in a foreign ex-
pedition ; but success, as we shall see, led them to dis-
regard its precepts of caution and moderation, and vio-
late with perfidious eagerness and efi'rontery, every
principle of righteousness which it enjoins.

A. D. 6S4:, A. H. 12. As soon as the Saracens en-
tered Syria, Heraclius sent against them an army of
70,000 men, chiefly cavalry, which was vanquished;
and Damascus, the capital, submitted on terms of capi-
tulation dictated by Abu Obediah and Caled. But the
terms were afterwards violated by the perfidious Caled,
and all who refused to submit to the faith of Islam,
were robbed and murdered. A. D. 635, Abubeker
died, and was succeeded by Omar, the second caliph,
ten years, when he was assassinated, A. D. 645.

In the first year of the reign of Omar, Irah and
Assyria submitted after three fiercely contested bat-
tles. During the same year the Emperor Heraclius
met them in a great engagement near the mouth of
the Hieromax, or Yermouth, a river which empties
into lake Tiberias, in Palestine, in which he lost 70,000
men, or, as the Saracens say, 150,000 killed, and 40,000
prisoners.

After this the Eomans did not again appear in the
field, and the followers of Mahomet were left to select
in council the cities for attack. Within the next two

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 228

years all Syria, including Palestine, submitted to the
conquerors — seven hundred years after it was made a
Roman province.

Note. — Pompey entered Jerusalem and conquered
Palestine, or marched an army through it, B. c. 70 to
66^ but it was not reduced to the condition of a Roman
province for many years after. (See fourth seal.)

A. D. 687. The Saracens this year took Ctesiphon,
or Mad ay n, the capital of Persia, which they sacked —
the king, with a part of his family and treasures, tak-
ing shelter at Hoi wan, near the mountains of Media.
Within sixteen years all Persia, Central and Southern
Asia, submitted to Mahometan rulers, to the bounda-
ries of China.

A. D. 638, A. H. 16. The armies of Arabia were
divided into two columns, and the victors of Assyria
and Palestine entered Egypt under Amrow, and ac-
complished the permanent conquest of that fertile val-
ley. Another division entered Cilicia, took Tarsus its
capital, and waved their yellow banners over the east-
ern and southern shores of the Euxine. An almost un-
interrupted series of victories still crowned the arms of
the Saracens, and allured their onward march. Thirty-
six thousand cities or forts became the prey of Omar,
and all Palestine, Cilicia, Persia, Mesopotamia, Hin-
dostan, and Egypt, submitted to his sway, when, A. D.
645, he was assassinated, and Othman, or Osman, suc-
ceeded to the imperial authority six years. Within
the first two years of his reign, the Saracens pushed
their African conquests as far as Tripoli, but a civil
war breaking out near Medina, in consequence of
Omar's death, which involved the succession, the
armies halted in their course of victory, and returned
to participate in their domestic troubles, which lasted
twenty years. Meanwhile, Tripoli, Nubia, and Mau-
ritania (now called the Barbary States), in the north-
ern and western parts of Africa, were successively
taken and lost under the commanders Abdallah,

224 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

Akbeh, Zabier, and Hassan ; but when the civil war
was settled, they became the permanent conquests of
the sword and faith of Islam.

In the conquest and reduction of Western Africa
alone, the Saracens wasted the lives of 100,000 of their
own men, and untold multitudes of their armed ene-
mies ravaged the country — the seat of the Vandalic
kingdom, and now the possession of the Catholics —
killed the peaceful inhabitants [who tenaciously ad-
hered to the use of images in their public or private
worship], or sold them into slavery. Although their
march was not always attended Avith the same havoc,
yet the fertile, populous, and highly cultivated parts
of Northern Africa, between Mauritania and Egypt,
were, from the invasion of the Saracens to their final
conquest, a waste and uninhabited region, distin-
guished only by the broken monuments of its former
glory.

A. D. 665, A. H. 43. The civil wars of the Sara-
cens at length resulted in a division of the civil power
of their vast empire, and the new centres were left at
liberty to pursue the original designs of propagating
their religion, or enriching themselves by conquest.

Here we may pause in our history of the Saracens,
and reflect that it is now thirty-three years since Ma-
homet returned to his native city, Mecca, where he
was received as her conqueror and prophet. Two
years were then spent in settling the preliminaries of
his future policy, when he was suddenly arrested hj
death, and the practical application of that policy was
left to be consummated by other hands. In thirty
years from his death one-third of the population of
the globe had submitted, either by profession or tri-
bute, to the faith or sovereignty of his religion.

We are now to view the Saracenic powers in an-
other light. A. D. 647, A. h. 25, Almansor, of the
house of Abbas, uncle of Mahomet, at the head of the
Saffah tribe of the Arabs, raised a sedition against

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 225

Othman, and established the seat of his empire at
Bagdad, oii the river Tigris ; his successors are called
the caliphs of Bagdad. Civil wars and confusion now
ensued in the empire, which lasted twenty years.
Three years after the breaking out of the civil wars,
Othman died, and Ali, cousin of Mahomet, and son of
Abu Taleb, seized upon Mecca, but afterwards re-
moved the seat of his government to Cufa. This
schism assumed a religious character, and their succes-
sors in Asia are yet called the sects of Ali and Oth-
man. The Persians are of the sect of Ali, while the
Turks, allured to the Mahometan standard by the
friends and partisans of Othman, are called Ottomans.

Bagdad continued to be the capital of the Chaldo-
Saracenic empire 490 years, when it was taken by
Hulaku, or Holagan, or Haolegoo Khan, the grandson
of Gengis Khan, the caliph Al Mastasen put to
death, and this eastern branch of the Saracenic empire
terminated A. D. 1258, and in the 636th year of the
negira.

On the success of Almansor, the reigning [deputy]
caliph of Damascus in Syria abdicated his throne and
fled to Busir, in Egypt, on the banks of the Nile,
where his army was vanquished and himself slain.
His family was proscribed, and, with the exception of
Abdolraman, destroyed. He, pursued by his enemies
from the Euphrates to Mount Atlas, escaped into Spain,
where he successfully reared the standard of war against
the successors of the eastern throne, established his
palace at Cordova, and reigned in his descendants a
branch of the Omaiades, of the house of Omaiyah, two
hundred and fifty years, a flourishing and splendid
kingdom. Nor were the remains of the descendants
of the Moors, who assisted the Saracens in the conquest
of Spain, expelled until the time of Ferdinand and
Isabella, A. D. 1491.

About A. D. 730, in the reign of Csesar, 768, a. h.
108, the Saracens crossed the Pyrenees from Spain
10*

226 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

into France, where their further progress was arrested
by Charles Martel, in a seven days' encounter between
Tours and Poitiers, near the centre of France. Dur-
ing the battle, Abdermane, their leader, was slain. In
the election of a successor, or from some other cause,
the tribes of Yemen, Damascus, Africa, and Spain, were
provoked to turn their arms against themselves, and
the remains of their hosts were suddenly dissolved, more
than three hundred and fifty thousand Saracens being
either slain or dispersed. About sixteen years before,
the eastern Saracens were repulsed from the walls and
waters of Constantinople.

The passion of the Saracens for war now gradually
relaxed. Their stern enthusiasm was softened by time
and prosperity. They sought. riches in the occupations
of industry, fame in the pursuits of literature, and hap-
piness in the tranquillity of domestic life, or the pride
of empire and the splendor of courts, the monarchs
being the most potent and absolute on the globe.

The chair of Mahomet was now disputed by three
caliphs, who reigned at Bagdad in Chaldea, Cairoan in
Africa, and Cordova in Spain. They were all the
patrons of the learned as well as the commanders of
the faithful. They erected schools and colleges, and
the fruits of instruction were diffused, from the sons of
the rich to those of the poor. In every city the produc-
tions of Arabic literature were copied and appreci-
ated; the literature of the Greeks and Komans was
eagerly sought and translated ; public and extensive
libraries were collected in the imperial cities ; a circu-
lating library of 100,000 volumes Avas gathered by
the Fatamites of Cairo, splendidly bound, and lent
without jealousy or avarice to those who were disposed
to read ; more than twenty public libraries were open-
ed in the Andalusian kingdom of Spain ; and even all
these were surpassed by the splendors of the scientific
caliphs of Bagdad.

The sciences were patronized throughout the Ma-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 227

hometan empire, but more especially in the east. The
best masters and most accomplished artisans, of every
country and rehgion, were invited and rewarded, and
agriculture, commerce, genius, art, and science, were
encouraged and fostered. The age of Arabian litera-
ture continued, especially in the east, about 500 years,
during the darkest and most slothful period of Euro-
pean annals.

A. D. 781, Haroun [Aaron] al Easchid, flourish-
ed at Bagdad, and was succeeded (after a struggle) by
his son Almansor. Under his reign Constantinople
and the eastern Roman empire were tributary to the
Saracens, who about this time subdued Sicily and
Crete.

A. D. 827, 50, Italy was attacked by the Saracens,
and about one hundred and fifty towns were pillaged.
Another fleet from Africa sailed into the mouth of the
Tiber, approached the gates of Eome, and robbed the
temples of Peter and Paul. The Catholic idols were
stripped of their costly coverings, and the fleet return-
ed with their booty, thus (a. d. 849) inviting another
descent upon the shores of Italy. But the Saracens
were received in the harbors by the vessels of Con-
stantinople, and the armed bands of Rome, who, aided
by a storm and the ignorance of the invaders, repelled
them from the coast. Those taken prisoners were con-
demned to die by the sword and the cross, or compelled
to repair with their own hands the sacred edifices they
had attempted to destroy.

A. D. 870. The Saracenic empire began to show
visible signs of decay. The extent of the empire, the
example of former caliphs, or the tyranny of reigning
kings, invited the lieutenants and governors to as-
sume their independence, and the forces of the empire
were diverted from foreign invasions, and turned upon
themselves. JSTew prophets arose, ambitious of fol-
lowers and fame. Thirsting, under the mask of poverty
and peace, for riches and dominion, they enforced

228 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

their tenets with the sword, and filled the state with
blood.

A. D. 930, Persia threw off the yoke of the caliphs
of Bagdad, and declared for the sect of Ali.

The Turks, first noticed in history in the time of
Justinian, emperor of Constantinople (a. d. 550), soon
after the revolt of Persia espoused the cause of 0th-
man, from whom they are called Ottomans. Imbibing
the spirit of enthusiasm and conquest, or roused by an
ambitious chief desirous of wealth and fame, or per-
haps pressed by the incumbent tribes of the north, the
Ottomans commenced a march to the southward from
their retreat in the mountains of Armenia. They were
repelled by the Persians and other nations ; but, A. D.
1038, they collected an army neither ashamed nor afraid
to measure their courage or numbers with the proudest
monarchs of Asia. They encountered the Persians at
Zendican, where they obtained a memorable victory,
and the victorious Turks proceeded to the election of
a king. The decision was by lot, and the prize won
by Togrul Bey, the grandson of Seljook, from whom
these tribes are called Seljookians. Having made him-
self master of Khorassan, Togrul advanced to Irak,
subdued it, and then took Bagdad, where he was, by
the caliph, appointed lord over all Mahometans ; and
thenceforward the temporal and spiritual power became
vested in different hands. The Turks overrun Media,
and were brought into contact with the eastern Roman
empire, whose authority had been gradually restored
to the eastern boundaries of Armenia. This country
was ravaged to its capital, Erzeroom. The Turkish
cavalry massacred 130,000 of the inhabitants, who re-
fused the faith of Islam, and sent their ambassadors to
Constantinople to demand tribute and obedience.

A. D. 1068. Togrul died, and his nephew. Alp
Arslan {Valiant Lion)^ assumed the command. He
invaded the eastern empire of Rome. The conquest
of Armenia was rapid. The Georgians of Caucasus

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 229

offered a braver, though as unavailing resistance. In
Phrygia the Turks were met by Romanus Diogenes,
the valiant husband of the empress Eudocia, who, in
three campaigns, drove them beyond tbe Euphrates,
where Romanus was taken prisoner and his army
overthrown. Alp Arslan, returning to quell an in-
surrection among his own countrymen, beyond the
Oxus, fell by the dagger of a Carismain, and was suc-
ceeded, A. D. 1072, by his son Malek Shah. His supre-
macy was acknowledged from the confines of China
to Constantinople, and Egypt submitted to his will.
Twenty years after (a. d. 1092), Malek died at Bag-
dad. His empire, at first divided among his sons, was
finally reunited in Sanjar, the survivor of them. The
Turks entered Palestine, and took possession of Jeru-
salem, and this became the signal for a conflict between
Europe and Asia ; and Judea became the warlike
theatre of nations.

A superstitious reverence had long been cultivated
throughout Europe for the relics of the saints, and
the tombs of the prophets and martyrs of the Holy
Land. They venerated the bones of the apostles, or
the smallest fragments of the " true cross," and their
fiercest passions were roused into indignation and ven-
geance, at the tidings that the holy sepulchre was
trodden under the feet of the enemies of Christ. A
new spirit of religious chivalry arose under papal
domination : a nerve was touched of exquisite feeling,
and the sensation vibrated to the heart of Europe.
Every nation took up arms, and multitudes from every
region were soon on their march to Palestine. Under
Pope Urban II., a red cross became the badge of the
soldier, who expected Christ would march before him,
and visibly appear as his leader and captain in the
Holy Land. " God wills it, God wills it," became the
memorable word adapted as their cry in battle, to in-
spire the devotion and animate the courage of the
champions of Christ. The Mahometans drew to their

230 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

standard the nations of northern, central, and west-
ern Asia and Africa — Turks, Huns, Tartars, Persians,
Saracens, Mamalukes, Egyptians, and Fatamites ; while
the hordes of Europe, from the Eastern and Western
Eoman Empire, Britons, Germans, Franks, Italians,
Greeks, and Spaniards, poured their armies upon the
mountains and into the valleys of Judea. The shocks
of war were terrible upon both sides. The dead were
numbered by myriads. Each party was successively
and alternately overthrown. Judea was bathed in
blood without being purged from iniquity. And
well-attested and undisputed histories corroborate the
strange fact that for two hundred years this religious and
fanatical war continued to he waged in fury, until finally
the Mahometans kept the conquest they had made, and
without a challenge held the field as their own.

While those scenes of relentless continental wars
were enacted between the Catholics and Mahometans
in Judea, the lurking and secret spirit of paganism
had insensibly arisen, and now assailed the Mahometan
thrones of Asia, and the Catholic sovereigns of Europe.
This power arose in the northeast of Asia. A great
Khan of the Moguls, who ruled over thirty thousand
families, under the frowning shadows of the Altay,
having died, the nation, A. D. 1206, held a convention
on the banks of the Selinga, near the confines of China
and Siberia, for the choice of a successor. His son
Temudsin was appointed, and surnamed Gengis Khan,
or Universal Sovereign, and the Moguls held up their
hands and swore to follow him in all his enterprises.
They burst forth from their cold and savage wilder-
ness like the dissolving snows of spring. They fanned
the dying embers of paganism into a flame, and, gather-
ing force by progress, overspread the world from the
eastern coast of China to the centre of Europe, and
formed the most extensive although not the most
durable empire the world had ever seen. Under
Batoo, or Batu, the grandson of Gengis Khan, their arms

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION. 231

were victorious not only over the Kussians, but the Poles.
They advanced as far as Breslau, which they destroyed.
The Emperor Frederick II. and the Pope called on
all Europe to aid. Crowds of volunteers joined the
standard of Henry, Duke of Lower Silesia. The bat-
tle, one of the bloodiest ever fought against the Orien-
tals, occurred at Wollstadt, near Lignitz, and was lost,
A. D. 1242. The whole country was deserted to the
Moguls [in Europe called Tartars ; Syriac, Tzartzor^
the herdsman or devourer], who being unable or un-
prepared to prosecute sieges, retired to Asia. Hoobegoo,
or Halaku, another grandson of Gengis, undertook
the conquest of Bagdad. The Moguls advanced against
the kingdoms of the Euphrates ; and, aided by the
treachery of the philosopher Nasir-Eddin, who after-
wards became president of the academies under the
Moguls, Bagdad was taken in the year of the Hegira
Qb^. [But the date of the Christian era is A. d. 1258-
60, making a chronological discrepancy of nearly
twenty years.]

During forty days the Moguls plundered the an-
cient seat of Arabian splendor, and 200,000 of its in-
habitants were put to the sword.

The Moguls then, with increased forces, pushed
their conquests towards the Mediterranean. Haleb fell
before their arms ; Damascus was taken, and they en-
tered the Holy Land. Here they were met by Seif-
ed-din, the Mameluke Sultan of Egypt, who, a. d.
1260, in a great battle, defeated their troops ; and his
successor, Bibars, drove them from Syria.

Again the Mahometans are triumphant in the
south, and from Egypt they spread the terror of their
arms to the Euphrates. The Catholics of Europe, rid
of the presence and recovered from the fear of the
declining power of the Moguls, wasted their forces
and treasures in civil wars, or the vain project of en-
snaring and conquering each other. But the Pope,
supported by the faithful and insidious hierarchy of

282 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC KEVELATION.

Rome, skilfully improved this advantage for gaining
the control of them all.

The world, which — from the Eastern Ocean, that
washes the coast of China and Japan, to the Silesian
Oder, that empties into the Baltic Sea — had been for
more than half a century kept in commotion, in anxious
expectation of the Mongolian arms, was scarcely quieted
when a new tribe of the Turks, pressed by the return-
ing hordes of Mongolia, moved to the southward,
and, A. D. 1281-98, established their capital in Prusa
of Bithynia. A. D. 1360, they conquered Thrace, under
their leader Amurath, and made Adrianople their seat
of government. Bajazet, his successor, conquered most
of the Eastern [Greek] Roman Empire. While Bajazet,
at the head of the Ottomans, had thus revived again the
spirit of the Seljookian conquests, and the hopes of
the disciples of Mahomet in the north, the Moguls,
having collected their shattered armies, returned like
an avalanche under Timoor, or Tamerlane, the cele-
brated Tartar chieftain, and fixed their capital at Sa-
marcand, in Bucharia, A. D. 1391. Thence making a
campaign of five years, they wasted Persia, and swept
over Bagdad, Mesopotamia, Kurdistan, Armenia, and
Georgia. Timoor next poured his pagan hordes over
the fertile plains of India, plundered Delhi, and pur-
sued the terrified Indians to the sources of the Ganges.
Returning he marched to Aleppo, in Syria, where he
met and defeated the Egyptian army, and descending
massacred the inhabitants of Bagdad. The next year,
A. D. 1402, Timoor met the Ottoman forces under
Bajazet, in the neighborhood of Angora, in Asia
Minor. Upon^the very plain where Pompey had de-
feated Mithridates, these two chieftains had collected
the forces of their respective empires. From morning to
night of a burning day (July 20), endured this last battle
of each monarch, which ended in the total rout of the
Turkish host. Two years afterwards Timoor died on
his march in an expedition against China, and his forces
were dissolved.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 283

Eelievcd of the victorious pagan, the Ottomans
again arose. In ten years, under Mahomet I. (a. d.
1418), their empire began to regain its vigor. His
grandson, Mahomet II., by the help of cannon and
gunpowder [here first mentioned in history], battered
down the strong walls of Constantinople, and blotted
out for ever the remains of the Eastern Eoman Em-
pire. After this they obtained some further conquests,
the last of which was over the Poles, A. D. 1672, when
they reached the zenith of their glory, from which,
by their own accounts, they have ever since declin-
ed.

For a further description of the Mahometans and
the Turkish empire, see Gibbon's elegant and correct
history. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire;
Lardnerh Outlines of History ; Midler'^s History of the
World ; and historians and commentators generally.

We are now prepared to compare this history with
the imager}^ of the text.

1st. The only new religion, or religion of any kind,
that has arisen in or ascended from the people (waters
or river) of the Euphrates, is that of Mahomet, and his-
tory is abundantly fruitful with facts and delineations
connected with it. It arose, a religion of war and mar-
tial conflict, in opposition to and competition with every
other faith.

2d. Within about thirty years after its first per-
manent establishment, it spread into Palestine, Syria,
and Armenia, to the Black Sea ; thence by Persia to
China, thence down the Ganges and along the Indian
Ocean back to Arabia, thence over the Mediterranean
Sea, and by the coasts of Africa and Spain to the At-
lantic Ocean. Here its further advance Avas suspended
by impassable obstacles, or the care of other pursuits.
From this time the Mahometans made little or no per-
manent impression upon the surrounding nations, and
except when by occasional inroads they made depreda-
tions for booty, cultivated the arts of peace, until about

284 OUTLINES OF PROPKETIC REVELATION.

A. D. 10-iO. The Turks commenced then the conquest of
Asia, under Togral Bey, when began the slaughter
which involved every nation and island of Asia,
Europe, and Northern Africa, if not the whole conti-
nent, terminating in the fall of Bajazet, July 20, A. D.
1402, before the Pagan forces of Timoor. Since that
time they have made but little progress.

3d. The vast numbers of people whose death was
occasioned by the wars of the Crusaders in Europe, and
the strife of Mahometans and Pagans with them, and
with each other in Asia and Africa, give strong coun-
tenance to the literal interpretation of the text (verse
15) for the slaughter of the " third part of men." Dur-
ing a single generation of the lifetime either of Gen-
gis Khan, or Bajazet, more than six hundred millions of
people were affected, for good or ill, by their wars.

4th. The many millions of fighting men, both
cavalry and infantry, who from Europe alone were
engaged in these conflicts, the myriads from Africa, and
the unknown millions of Asia, fully justify the pro-
phetic enumeration of the text. (See v. 16.) Might they
not in three centuries have drawn into the field two
hundred million fighting men ?

5th. These wars terminated before the use of gun-
powder, and while breastplates were a part of military
equipage. The greatest fury of these wars was excit-
ed by the movements of the " tails which had heads," or
the dependencies and servant-sovereigns of the caliphs
of Mahomet; but w^hen once excited, like spreading
fires, they disdained the control of their masters, and
mingled in indiscriminate slaughter — the sovereign and
his slave.

6th. The Arian and Mahometan plagues left men
as they found them — idolatrous, licentious, and dis-
honest, which determined the Lord to send upon them
further judgments.

Note 1. People have generally descended to idola-
try by suspecting the existence and power of local di-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 2oO

vinities, as the presiding care in the souls of deceased
parents for their living children, or in those of pastors
and patriots for their people or state Imagination
wrought their images; fear framed their worship; and
fancy gave them life, and hope or pride assigned them
homes in heaven.

KoTE 2. — Long before these wars, professors of
Christianity had established their dogmas by the power
of the secular arm. They legislated people into " the
church" upon a mere profession, and even without a
profession. The dignitaries of " the church" preached
those who died in the "bosom of the church" into hea-
ven. But those who preached, as well as those who sup-
ported them, and those who feared them, were esteemed
by God, who gave this revelation to Jesus Christ
(ch. 1 : 1), equally with the pagans (upon both of
whom this second plague fell), the worshippers of
"devils" and idols.

These verses are an awful commentary and exposi-
tion of God's view of such thino^s. Althouo^h in the
church by legal enactment, and by that baptism which
is " the substitute for circumcision," and worshipping
" according to the laws of the reahn," yet God looked
upon them as murderers, fornicators, and thieves.

Note 3. — It is observable that those angels from the
Euprhates were not commissioned to slay a third part
of the Asiatics, or Europeans, or a third part of the Ro-
man Empire, but a "third part of men (verse 15), and
they were of a similar rehgion with those (verse 20) who
" worshipped devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and
brass, and stone, and wood." Thus we see, by unerring
history, that the Mahometans spent their fury upon Ro-
man Catholics, Greek Catholics, and Pagan idolaters;
not upon Christians, as some have too willingly conced-
ed. So far have the Mahometans been from proceeding
against the followers of Jesus, that his inoftensive dis-
ciples have never suffered from them except by taxa-
tion or tribute; nor do I find that this was ever ex-

286 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

acted from Christians, distinguished as such from the
mass of a nominally Christian people. If countries in
which Christians resided have been reduced to tribute,
it was to them only an incidental inconvenience, for as
a body they have never composed the majority of the
adult population of any nation.

ISIoTE 4. — This is but a part of the second woe, un-
finished until the things transpire which are predicted
in the tenth chapter and a part of the eleventh. (See
ch. 11 : 14.)

CHAPTEE X.

L Another Angel descends from Heaven to the Sea and
Earth with an open Book in his Hand, — 4. Seven Thun-
ders.— 6. The Angel swears by Htm that Liveth for
Ever that there shall be Time no longer. — 9. John com-
manded to take and eat the little Book.

Verse 1. — x'Vnd I saw another mig-hty angel' come down from
heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and
his face teas as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire.

Verse 2. — And he had in his hand a little* h(fok open : and he
set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

Verse 3. — And cried with a loud voice, as^ when a lion roareth :
and when* he had cried, seven thunders uttered their' voices.

This tenth chapter embraces the second part of the
sixth trumpet. The time of its fulfilment is cotempo-
raneous with the first and third parts of this trumpet,
and like the Mahometans has its commencement in the
beginning of the seventh century, and is a part of the
same woe (ch 11 : 14).

1 Gen. 9 : 11 ; Ex. 16 : 20 ; Le. 16 : 2 ; Eze. 1 : 27 ; Lam. 3 : 44 ; Dan.
10:6; Mat. 17 : 2 ; Luke 21 : 27 ; Ac. 26 : 18 ; ch. 1:16; 14 : 14.

2 Ps. 2 : 8 ; Pr. 8 : 15 ; Isa. 59 : 10 ; Eze. 2:9; Mat. 28 : 18 ; ch. 5 : 1.

3 Pr. 19: 12; Isa. 5 : 29 ; Joel 3: 16; Am. 1: 2; ch. 8: 5; 14; 2.
* And wliile he cried.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 237

Emblems of the Text. — Angel from heaven. Hea-
ven is the emblem of the church. (See ch. 4: 1.)
Angel (see ch. 1 : 1), a messenger, a motive, cause, or
the spirit of the times, or a leader, &c.

To descend from heaven to the earth is to forsake the
service and protection of the Almighty, and rely upon
the secular power, or engage in civil and political busi-
ness— but not so far as to lay aside the forms of reli-
gion, or its hopes of faith. This, then, was a politico-
religious power which arose out of the church.

Clothed with a cloud. Cloud is the symbol of multi-
tudes (Heb. 12 : 1), of mystery (Ps. 92 : 2), and of glory
(Lam. 3 : -M). Clothed (see ch. 3 : 6), authority, com-
pletion, &c. To he clothed with a cloud is either to have
authority over a multitude or to be embodied in mys-
tery.

Face as the sun. Face (ch. 4 : 7), supervision or
revelation. Sun,, the symbol of true religion or the
church. This angel, while he relies upon the aid and
protection of the civil arm, and is himself a mighty
and mysterious ruler of multitudes, is revealed, or ap-
pears, or claims, to be the true church.

A rainbow upon his head. Rainbow^ the token of
peace. Head^ the leader or captain. " The ancient and
the honorable, he is the head." Isa. 9 : 15.

Feet as pillars of fire. Feet are put for servants (Job
29 : 15 ; 1 Kings 20 : 10, margin^ &c.), and possibly for
principles or foundation. Fire (ch. 4 : 5), the emblem
of wrath or plagues, zeal or enthusiasm, &c. Pillars^
the beams, props, or supports. Hand (ch. 5 : 1).

Little hook open. Book (ch. 5 : 1) is the emblem of
laws and ordinances. At the inauguration of the
Jewish kinofs, the book of the law was placed in their
hands (Deut. 17 : 18 ; 2 Chr. 23 : 11) to represent
the source of their authority, and their right of ad-
ministration and magistracy. In allusion to this cus-
tom, to take or hold a book may signify to receive au-
thority, honor, and dignity, the power to make and ex-
ecute laws.

238 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

This book differs from one in the right hand of
him that sat upon the throne (ch. 5 : 1), in two speci-
fied particulars. 1st. This was "little," but the size
of that is not stated. 2d. This was " open," that sealed
(Eze. 3 : 1, 2). That was in his right hand, but which
hand the "little book" was in is not stated. Sealed
book contains secrets, an ope/i hooh contains what is
public or known.

Sea signifies people, of many nations (ch. 8: 9).
Earthy civil government.

To set the foot upon an object^ is to take possession
of it, to assume the control of it, to obtain dominion
over it.

Voice as a lion (verse 3). As soon as this strong
power in the church had taken possession of many
nations, and seized upon their government, the mighty
angel began to cry^ or command with a lion-like voice ;
that is, either loud and terrible, or fierce and bold.

Seven thunders uttered^ &c. Thunders are the em-
blems of revolutions, and the calamities of war. When-
ever the angel issued his mandates, wars and revolu-
tions followed. Hence, during the existence of this
politico-Christian power, seven great revolutions are
effected, either under its immediate supervision, or in
its behalf, or in opposition to its decrees.

Verse 4. — And when the seven thunders' had uttered their
voices, I was about to write : and I heard a voice from heaven say-
ing unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered,
and write them not.

During the continuance of this symbolical angel —
this politico-Christian power, seven thunders spake
with distinct articulate voices, which were understood
in "heaven," but which were "sealed xip" or kept
secret from the world. In ch. 1 : 11, John was ordered
to write what he should see, and send it to the churches,

i De. 29 : 29 ; Isa. 8 : 16 ; Dan. 8 : 26 ; 12 : 4, 9 ; ch. 1 : 11.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 239

but this was an exception to that command. This por-
tion of Scripture is purposely obscured by Divine com-
mand, but the object for doing so is not mentioned, and
any conjectures upon it may be as far from the reality
as we are blinded by ignorance, prejudice, or pride.

Verse 5. — And the angel which I saw stand' upon the sea and
upon the earth, lifted up his liand to heaven,

Verse 6. — And swear by him that liveth'^ for ever and ever, who
created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the
things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein,
that there should be time no longer:*

Verse 7. — But in the days of the voice^ of the seventh angel,
when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finish-
ed, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Emblems of the Text. — Swear. Oaths are of
three kinds. 1st. A legal or religious ceremony in
which a person calls upon God to witness the truth or
sincerit}^ of what he is about to utter, and imprecating
God's vengeance, or a renunciation of his favor, if what
is affirmed be false, or what is promised be not per-
formed. An affirmation differs from an oath in this:
it imprecates not the vengeance of God, but the pen-
alty of human laws. A violation of this oath or affir-
mation, is called perjury.

2d. The second kind of oaths are called "extra
judicial oaths." These are solemn promises made be-
tween individuals, or between individuals or societies.
This kind of oath adds nothing to the moral obliga-
tions of a promise, and is not binding where the pro-
mise itself would not be so.

3d. The third kind of oaths are a vicious, wanton,
and unauthorized swearing in common discourse. This
is called profane swearing. This is an outrage against

1 Ge. 14 : 22 ; Ex. 6:8; Dan. 12:7; Heb. 6 : 13.

2 Ch. 1 : 18 ; di. 4 : 11 ; 14:7; Ex. 20 : 11 ; Neh. 9 : 6 ; Ps. 95 : 3 ; 146 :
5 ; Jer. 10 : 11 ; Acts 14: 15 ; 17 : 23; Eom. 1 : 20.

* The time is not yet, or there shall be no more thaie.

3 Ch. 11 : 15 ; Rom. 11 : 25 ; Eph. 3:3; see also Lu. 24 : 44 ; Acts 3 ;
21.

240 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

common decorum, and a violation of the laws of God.
(Ex. 20 : 7 ; Mat. 5 : 34.)

To swear ^ is the symbol of evidence, or an emblem
of seriousness. The great preparation made for this
oath, the right hand uplifted to or towards heaven,
the particular and special mention of the attributes
and works of Him before whom the oath is taken, lead
us to expect a declaration of great interest and import-
ance, and the form and substance of the words is, ac-
cording to the common version, "that there should be
time no longer, after the voice of the trumpet of the
seventh angel ; but the mystery of God shall then be
finished, as he hath declared to his servants the pro-
phets." Perhaps the original may be rendered and
paraphrased, ^^ some things are yet to he sealed ^ip and
kept sacred to the close of this trump)et^ because the time is
not yet come to reveal them ; but in the days of the voice
of the seventh angel, while he shall sound, the mys-
tery of God shall be fulfilled as he hath declared to
his servants the prophets." The declaration of this
oath is calculated to subserve two ends : 1st, that
men may not be disheartened or discouraged because
some things look dark and mysterious in the provi-
dence of God ; and, 2d, to guard against imposture,
because men would arise saying, "the time of the eud
has come, and the mystery of God is finished." But
such pretenders would be mistaken and deceived, for
the end would not come during this sixth trumpet, nor
until after the whole mystery of God is finished. His-
tory proves the necessity of this caution. Not a cen-
tury, and scarcely a generation, has passed during a
long period of years, which has not witnessed the up-
rising of startled millions listening to the voice of de-
ceivers, who have proclaimed " the end is at hand,"
" behold he cometh." The most important and wildest
of these movements, of which the convulsions have most
shaken and surprised the world, were the Crusades,
(see ch. 9 : 13-21 ; and ch. 20 : 1-7,) whose wars occu-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 241

pied more than two centuries, and A\^asted, to Europe
alone, the lives of three millions of fighting men, and
the labors of many millions more. But neither fears,
nor prayers, nor wars, have yet changed the onward
course of prophecy, constantly unfolding its ample
pages to the world, as Grod had declared by his servants
the prophets. But the humble and less successful
imitators of the crusaders, have followed them at in-
tervals ever since their day in face of the remonstrance
of this prophec}^, the chagrin of their disasters, or the
failure of their predictions. Nor are we wholly free
from this spirit of enthusiasm and imposture, to this
day. But the end is not yet.

Verse 8. — And the voice which I heard from heaven spake
unto me again (verse 4), and^ said. Go, and take the little book
which is open in the hand of the angel which"" standeth upon the
sea and upon the earth.

Verse 9. — And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give
me the little book,'^ And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up ;
and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth
sweet as honey.

Verse 10. — And I took the little book out^ of the angeTs hand,
and ate it up ; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey : and as
soon as I had eaten it my belly was bitter.

Verse H. — And he said unto me, Thou must^ prophesy
iigain beforeb many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Eemark. — This book is again described as a "little"
one, "open." The particular and peculiar position of
the angel is also adverted to, as having one foot upon
the sea and the other upon the earth. None in heaven
or on earth was able to take the book from the hand of
Him that sat upon the throne (ch. 5 ; S), but John takes
it from the hand of the angel by command of the

I Isa. 30 : 21 ; Dan. 8 : 26 ; Hab. 2 : 2.

=* Who standeth.

a Jer. 15 : 16 ; Eze. 2:8; 3:1; 2:3; John 23 : 12.

3 Ps. 19 : 10 ; Pr. 16 : 24 ; Eze. 3 : 3

4 Jcr. 1:9; and 25 : 15 : ch. 11 : 9 ; and 14:6; and 17 : 15.
b Concerninfr.

11

242 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

Yoice from heaven. At this time, John had come
down from the place to wliich he had been called up
(ch. 4 : 1), and he was where he could write (ch. 10 : 4) ;
and he had to " go " to the angel.

Emblems of the Text. — Booh {ch. 6: 1). Books
are the repositories of knowledge. The first book ex-
tant, the Book of Genesis, is a work of history, and
whether written before or after the writing of God upon
the tables of stone at Sinai, is unknown. But it appears
reasonable to suppose that books were in common use
long prior to the days of Moses (Num. 21 : 14), as it is
evident he was acquainted with arithmetic (Num. 31),
and other sciences of Egypt (Acts 7 : 22), a knowledge
of which could scarcely have been correctly attained or
transmitted to posterity, either by pictures, oral instruc-
tions, or hieroglyphics. Pictures and arbitrary marks,
or hierogl3^phics, might have been employed in the
first forms of historical record. But it is absurd to
suppose that the sciences of grammar, mathematics,
chronology, or the names of men, could ever have been
accurately preserved without a written language, and
if not accurately, not at all. Stone, lead, brass, wood,
bark, skins, cloth, &c., were used to engrave or mark
such things upon as men were desirous of transmitting
to posterity, and these are in use to this day, although
at present paper is the material generally preferred ; but
arbitrary marks are still in use for recording and trans-
mitting knowledge. A book, then, would be the proper
emblem of knowledge, and that of any kind, legal,
religious, historical and natural.

The hook of the Lord may be either the Scriptures,
(Isa. 34 : 16), or his purpose (Ps. 139 : 16 ; Kev. 5 : 1),
or his care (Ex. 32 : 32), or his omniscient observation
and remembrance of things (Ps. 56: 8; Mai. 3: 16).
Men's conscience is like a book (Dan. 7 : 10). A book
closed must denote privacy, secrecy, or deep and ab-
struse knowledge. A book open, must, on the other
hand, indicate knowledge or intelligence which is un-
derstood.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 243

We may add for illustration : 1st. That the future
and future events, abstractly speaking, are as a closed
book, and whatever is unknown to a man is to him as
a book shut up and sealed. 2d. Things present and
passing, which are supposed to be understood, and
things past, which have been known, unless connected
with unknown facts, are like a book open. A known
fact may not always be of so much importance as its un-
known bearings. Future events, which are made
known by prophecy, may be compared to an open
book, where the prophecy is plain and the enuncia-
tions special, distinct, and clear.

A large book might treat of more things ; an epi-
tome or little book might contain the outlines or heads
of subjects, or the rudiments of a particular one.

To eat^ in symbolical language, signifies : 1st. To
meditate and digest truth, to solve a problem, or to re-
ceive knowledge. 2dly. To destroy. On a review of
these emblems, I conclude that the Politico-Christian
influence and power wielded by Kome and the nations
of Europe, since the fall of Arianism and the rise of
Mahomet, must be the power symbolized by this
mighty angel, because this power arose in the church,
and then seizing political dominion, has been the most
mysterious and dazzling the world has ever seen, and
no other has approached it in its time. But more will
be said upon this subject when treating upon the
twelfth, thirteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the
Eevelation.

The little book which he holds in his hand indicates,
that at first the Roman Catholic powers were in the
open possession of the Scriptures, and the rudiments
of knowledge; but they are gradually extinguished
from their hand, and at length become the property of
" John," the representative of the true church, which
at first is the cause of much joy — more "sweet" — but
afterwards is made the occasion of "bitterness" or
affliction and sorrow. Since this prediction begun its

244 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

fulfilment, how often, alas ! lias opposition to the Bible
by the Catholics, and a perversion of Scripture truth
by others, been a source of grief to the godly servants
of Jesus Christ ! But the church must arise, and she
will yet " prophesy," [preach] " before many peoples,
and nations, and tongues, and kings."

CHAPTER XT.

1. The Temple, Altar, akd Worshippers measured.— 3. The
Witnesses prophesy. — 6. Their power. — 7. The Beast fights

AGAINST them AND KILLS THEM. — IJ. ThEY RISE AGAIN.

Verse L — And there was given me a reed^ like unto a rod :
and the angel stood,'' saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God,
and the altar, and them that worship therein.

Verse 2. — But the court which is without'^ the temple, leave
out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the
holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Verse 3. — And T will give power unto iny^ two witnesses, and
they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days,
clothed in sackcloth.

Remark. — In this chapter the sixth trumpet as-
sumes a new and distinct form. The former scenes
are dismissed, and other actors are brought into vievv^
But the time, although of a longer date, appears to be
contemporaneous in its commencement.

Emblems of the Text. — A rod, to measure. To
measure or survey by running out lines and establish-
ing metes and boundaries, signifies to take possession
of, after a victory (Ps. 60 : 5), and it may be of two
kinds : 1st, a hostile expulsion, or forcible entry and de-

1 Eze. 27 : 9 ; Eze. 40 : 3, 41 ; ch. 21 : 15.
a The word ' stood ' is, by some, rejected.

2 Eze. 4: 17, 19, 20; ch."l3: 5.

3 Ch, 12 : 6, 14 ; Num. 80 : 30 ; De. 17 : 6 ; Matt. 18 : 16 ; 2 Cor. 13 : ].

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION. 245

tainer for destruction (Numb. 24: 17; Josh. 18 : 6 ;
Isa. 18: 2); or, 2d, it may be a peaceable re-entry
after ejectment for rebuilding and repairs (Zech. 2 : 2).

Ihnjjle of Qod is the place of his settled worship,
and may be the symbol of his people — the church.

Altar ^ the seat of worship, the symbol of safety or
refuge (ch. 6:9; oh. 8 : 5).

Citij^ according to its condition, is either the capital
or sovereign, a port or mart of trade, a suburb or de-
]jendent, and may be the symbol of a nation or people,
their commerce or market.

Note, — It may here be said that cities are repre-
sented under the similitudes of virgins, wives, widows,
or harlots, according to their state, condition of morals
or influence (Isa. 37 : 22 ; Lam. 1 : 15 ; Isa. 47 : 8 ;
Lam. 1:1; Isa. 23 : 16 ; Na. 3:4).

Forty and two months^ multiplied by thirty days to
a month, are equal to 1260 prophetic days ; each day
for a year equals 1260 years common time (ch. 2 : 10 ;
ch. 9 : 15), This is precisely the same in duration as
the "thousand two hundred and threescore days" of
the third verse. The time is supposed to be the same.

Verse 4. — These are the two olive trees, nnd the two candle-
sticks standing^ before the God of the earth.

Emble.^is of the Text. — Olive trees. Trees are the
emblems of men. The epithet olive^ the symbol of
peace (Gen. 8: 11), of beauty, or blessing, (Isa. 14: 6;
Fs. 128: 3), and of riches or fatness (Zech. 4: 3, 11,
14; Eom. 11: 17,4), describes their moral value or
influence.

Candlestick^ Gr. Xvyyia (luchnia), lampstand, is the
emblem of a Christian church (ch. 1 : 20).

The two witnesses, the two olive trees, and candle-
sticks, are the same. This must signify then that the

1 De. 10 : 8 ; 1 Km^s 17:1; Isiu 54 : 5 ; Mi. 4 : 14 ; Zech. 4 : 3, 11,
14; Mat. 5: 14; Luke 11 : 33.

246 OUTLINES OF PllOPHETIC REVELATION.

Jewish and Gentile cliurclies are the witnesses, who
j)rophesy in sackcloth^ the token of sorrow, twelve hun-
dred and sixty years ; or, if the distinction of the
church into Jewish and Gentile be excepted to, both
being "fellow heirs and of the same body," since the
advent of Jesus Christ, then the church must be one of
the witnesses, and the other must be something else.
But the candlesticks are the churches (ch. 1 : 20).

Standing before the God of the earth. To stand signi-
fies sjaiibolically to resist, to struggle, to defend. To
stand before is the posture of service.

Since the blast of the sixth trumpet, there has been
no Jewish church distinct from the Gentiles. But the
Gentile Christians have been represented by a succes-
sion of holy men, who have preached or prophesied,
and witnessed to the truth of God under circumstances
of great peril and distress, while the Jewish saints,
though dead and without any living descendants, who
have espoused and defended the gospel, have all along
spoken through the Scriptures, which are their own
inspired writings ; and these two, the church and the
Scriptures, have been God's witnesses which have at
all times and places fared precisely alike. Wherever
the Bible has been venerated and esteemed, there Chris-
tians have enjoyed peace and favor. Wherever Chris-
tians have been persecuted and oppressed, there the
Bible has been an object of relentless rage. Wherever
the Christian has been treated with contempt, or barely
tolerated, there the Bible has shared the same esteem.

It is said in verse 1, " the angel stood saying," &c.
Some reject the Greek icai 6 ayy€\o<^ eiarijKei, which
makes the command to measure, &c., emanate from
heaven. This comports better with the subsequent
language of the chapter.

Verse 5.— And if any nmn will hurt them,^ firu procoedeth out
» Isa. 11:4; Jer. 5 : 14 ; Ilosea 6 : r. ; 2 Tiies. 3:8; clu 13 : 10.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 247

of tlieir mouth, .'iiid devouretli their enemies : if any man will hurt
them, he must in this manner be killed.

Verse 6. — These have power to shut heaven,^ that it rain not in
the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn
them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as
they will

Note 1. — AYe have no history of any man or body
of men who have, since the apostolic age, exercised
any of the powers enumerated in these two verses.
These powers are : 1st. Over fire, the emblem of
pestilence, &c., which proceeds with mortal energy
from their mouths. 2d. Over the clouds, to prevent
rain. 3d. Over water, the emblem of nations, &c., to
turn them to blood, or raise civil and national wars.
4th. Over the earth and the lives of men, to smite with
death or pestilence as often as they will.

Note 2. — We look upon the church as a corporation.
So long as there is a succession of members, it cannot
die (ch. 1 : 20). And although the particular indivi-
duals which compose it may die, so that at some future
period there may not be a single number in the body
w^ho was there at some past day ; yet the body is the
same — in the same place, with the same name, holding
the same doctrines, pursuing the same objects, for the
same purpose, in the same way.

Note 3. — There have been no witnesses for the truth
of the Christian religion, since its first promulgation,
but the Christian church and the Bible. It is undeni-
able that Christians and the Bible have been Cod's two
witnesses, by a willing and voluntary testimony, and
although others have contributed to establish the truth,
it has been more by an unavoidable, ignorant, and in-
voluntary fulfibnent of prophecy, than from any love
to God or any desire to extend his kingdom or glory
on earth.

Note 4. — Men and nations have attempted both '^to
hurt" and destroy, by individual effort and by autho-

' Ex. 7 : 8, 9, 10, ni ; 1 Kings 17 : 5 ; Jas. o : 7.

248 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

rity, both Christians and the Bible. Thej^ have at-
tempted to hurt Christians by defamation, imprison-
ment, confiscation of their effects, and banishment.
They have attem.pted to destroy them by alkirements
to idolatrj^ assassination, pubhc execution, and war
(ch. 13). They liave attempted to hurt the Bible by
absurd expositions and glosses, by altering the text,
discrediting its claims, denying its truths, by adding
apocryphal matter and traditional rites, or by discour-
aging its circulation, or suppressing its reading among
the people, and have destroyed in flame or flood the
work itself. Although Christians have seldom at-
tempted to take revenge, it is undeniable that troubles
and plagues in great variety, and a succession of them,
have fallen upon those men and in those countries
where the two witnesses have been hurt. But how far
these plagues have been the result of or punishment
for hurting the witnesses, may be seen by reference to
ch. 10, ch. 13, and ch. 16.

Emblems of the Text. — The emblems of these
verses appear to be so nearly literal, that no explana-
tion seems necessary, after Avhat has been said above,
except that we may observe that the witnesses are said
to do what is done for them. " Vengeance is mine, I
will repay, saith the Lord." And as God, by an all-
pervading and miraculous providence, has followed up
and visited upon his enemies the injuries done to his
witnesses, so in the text they are figuratively said to
do that for themselves which has been done on their
account.

Verse 7. — And wlien they sliall have finished tlieir testimony,
the beast thati ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war
against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Verse 8. — And their dead bodies shall lie'' in the street of the
great city, which spiritually is called Sodom, and Egypt, where also
our Lord was crucified.

^ Dan. 7: 21; Zech. 14 : 2; oh. 7 : 11 and 13 ; 1 and 17 : 8.
2 Luke 13 : 34 ; Acts 3:4; Heb. 6 : G ; 10 : 29 ; ch. 14 : 8 ; 17 : 1, 5 ;
IS: 10.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 249

Emblems of the Text. — Beast^ GreQk^rjplov, wild
beast. This beast is hereafter to be described as as-
cending from the sea (ch. 18 : 1) and the abyss (ch.
17 : 8). But this is the first reference to him under
this name in the Kevelation.

Street of the great citf/. City is the symbol of a peo-
ple (v. 2) or nation.

Egypt. Its definition is perhaps unknown, but is
supposed to signify that which troubles or oppresses,
and is here put for the seat of Antichrist.

Sodom was overthrown for levity and for lewdness
(Qen. 19: 24; Eze. 16: 49). The word signifies a
secret or cement, or that which adheres or unites, and
is here used for another name of the seat of Anti-
christ.

When they shall have finished their testimony in sack-
cloth, the beast that ascendeth from, the abyss, &c.

History. — The papists arose when the bishop of
Rome was confirmed by Phocas, Emperor of the East-
tern Roman Empire, in the title of Universal Bishop,
A. D. 606, and the religious powers of Europe, Asia,
and Africa, of the Catholic creed, submitted to his will.

The religious or spiritual papacy acknowledges the
bishop of Rome as a supreme and infallible sovereign,
the centre of union, the holy high-priest of their per-
suasion, and the independent and authorized lawgiver
of their church, the spiritual father of their teachers,
the vicegerent of Jesus Christ on earth, having autho-
rity to forgive sins, and the power to invest others with
a like authority. They claim also that he is above
temporal sovereigns, being himself clothed with su-
preme worldly dominion.

The ijolitical papacy acknowledges the legitimate
and lawful rights of temporal sovereigns, supreme in
all that pertains to civil and municipal functions, within
their respective kingdoms and sovereignties, and the
regulation of the religious services of the same. Now,
as it is evident that two unlimited authorities cannot
11^

250 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC EEVELATION.

sustain concurrent jurisdiction over the temporal and
spiritual affairs of the same people, wherever it is at-
tempted their claims will conilict. And this has often
happened between the political and spiritual papacy,
which shows that they are not one and the same power.
A beast in Scripture (ch. 6 : 8) is the symbol of a
politico-religious tyrannical government. The four
great beasts in Dan. 7 : 3, are explained, in verse 17,
of four kings, and the word kings is interpreted of
kingdoms in verse 23. Of the Medo-Persian ram he
says, "that no beasts might stand before him," mean-
ing that no state or kingdom was able to resist his
power. Among profane authors, the comparison of
cruel governors to beasts is common. The Koman
people are called by Horace (Lib. I., Ep. h. 1, 76), a
many-headed beast. But in Scripture 1 do not find that
the comparison is ever extended to states or nations,
unless they are united to the religious arm. This beast
(or a beast) comes up from the sea — the symbol of
many nations, and from the abyss (ch. 9 : 1) — the abode
of demons. But this war upon the witnesses is made
not by a beast from the sea, but from the abyss, or
bottomless pit. JSTow, the Eoman Catholics alone, of
all others who have obtained power, or held it in any
nation during the last twelve centuries, have ever made
war upon or against the Church of Jesus and the Bible
— the Word of God — with the express purpose of de-
stroying them. Having done this for no other pur-
pose, it follows that the Papacy is the power referred
to and meant in the text, or else the prophec}^ is yet
unfulfilled ! But they have done it, and have done it
for more than a thousand years, and are still doing it
wherever they have tiie power. Great Britain, under
Protestant domination and her colonies in New Eng-
land, have indeed persecuted, and made war upon
those who differed with them in religion; but their
persecutions were for a limited time, and the power of
the latter in America has been taken away.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 25 i

Again : tlie civil j)Owers of the papacy liave never
moved in this matter, unless instigated by the spiritual
authorities, tiie dignitaries of the church. Hence it
follows that the spiritual papacy is here characterized
as the beast from the bottomless pit, while the political
papacy is the beast from the sea. It has been shown
(under the Fifth Trumpet) that the AriaDS were the
locusts, that came out of the smoke that arose from the
bottomless pit ; but the locusts did not themselves
come out of the pit, although their leader was the king
of the abyss. But here the power that makes war upon
the witnesses of God came from the bottomless pit,
whence the smoke itself arose ; so that the papal power
is the beast from the pit. Thus much I have antici-
pated relative to the prophecy of chs. 13 and 17, for
the sake of explanation in this place. I now proceed
to inquire into the closing act of this tragedy — the
death of the witnesses.

1st. For a criminal to kill an upright witness, on
account of his testimony, would argue a hardened and
malicious depravity ; but 2dly, if a judge should kill
the witness, the crime would assume a fourfold enor-
mity— a corrupt and wicked violation of his own oath
— an assault against the majesty of the law itself that
summoned the witness to testify, which is constructive
treason — a violation of the rights of the public, which
they have in the testimony of the witness for their own
defence, and the taking the life of the witness, which
is murder. This is precisely the case before us ; for
when the public magistrates kill God's witnesses, they
do it in violation of their official oath, in which they
appealed to God to attest their official integrity, and
commit treason against God, an assault against the
public safety, and are guilty of the murder of the in-
nocent. A crime more heinous cannot be perpetrated.

We read in Eev. ch. 8 : 2, that to each designated
angel was given or assigned a trumpet to sound ; and
ch. 8:6, that after each receives his trumpet, a time is

252 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC EETELATIOK.

granted for preparation, and when one is prepared he
sounds (v. 7), and that the woes or evils of each pass
(ch. 9:12) before the effects of the succeeding trumpet
are felt (ch. 11 : 14). Having shown (ch. 9 : 1-11), that
the time of the fifth trumpet terminated A.D., 549-52,
the angel of papal power then entered upon the term
of his preparation (which seems to have occupied about
half a century), when his competitors, the Bishops of
Alexandria, Antioch, and Constantinople (see ch. 13,
&c.), were, a.d. 606-12, finally subdued, and the of-
fice of the Bishop of Rome was definitely settled, and
the papacy commenced its career. At this time there was
a very noticeable and important change made in the
great Catholic denomination, both in the forms of their
worship and the organization of their societies. In-
stead of several equal bishops, exercising jurisdiction
in their several dioceses as they had for a long time
done, the jurisdiction of the whole is transferred to a
single individual, so that the organization is changed
from an aristocracy to a monarchy, and the monarch
was called Father or Pope (Latin Papa, Greek ITaTTTra?),
and his adherents were henceforth called the papacy.
From that time, idolatry, which had been struggling
for a place in the church, was established by the fiat
of an unchangeable decree. The Scrij^tures were laid
aside, their use was soon after prohibited, and their au-
thority superseded by the resolves of councils or the
decisions of the pope, who did according to his own
will. The following points were decreed: —

1st. That the Pope of Rome is superior to all other
bishops.

2d. That there is a difference in the dignity of
papal priests.

3d. That souls departing out of bodies wander in
a middle state, called purgatory, before they are
plunged into eternal punishments or attain eternal joys.

4th. That purgatory is a fire, in which the just who
depart out of this life expiate certain offences which do
not merit eternal damnation.

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION. 2oo

5tb. That masses or prayers are available lor the
dead, and will help to expiate the sins of those in pur-
gatory, and hasten their delivery from pains and tor-
ments.

6th. That the imao'es of God and the saints ons^ht
to be used in worship as helps to devotion.

7th. That in the ceremonies of consecration the
nature of things is changed, and even in some things their
substances are changed or transubstantiated into other
substances, as bread into flesh, and wine into blood.
The rites of consecration have been bestowed upon
almost every thing, as bells, books, water, oil, ashes,
candles, palms, pictures, swords, crosses, agnus-deis,
roses, banners, churches, grave-yards, priests, bi-
shops, &c.

7th. ISTo one can preach without the consent of the
pope or his consecrated bishop.

8th. That the church has power to decree rites and
ceremonies, and authority to decide controversies of
faith.

9th. That the pope has the power to pardon sins,
and may grant indulgences or authority to commit sin.

10th. That confirmation, celebrated by a bishop,
Avith anointing and extreme unction, are means of sal-
vation.

11th. That auricular confession shall be made to
the priests and bishops.

12th. That baptism shall be celebrated with oil.

13th. That the dead deposited in consecrated church-
yards shall attain to a better resurrection,

14th. That the festivals of saints are to be observed.

15th. That the sacerdotal vestments, altars, palls,
corporas or corporals, chalices, patens, &c., are of use in
the consecration of the host or sacred emblems of the
Eucharist.

16th. That the keeping of the instituted fasts of the
church is meritorious.

17th. That the assistance and suffrages of the saints,
reigning with Christ, may be advantageously implored.

254 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC KEVELATIOX.

18th. That Mary, the daughter of Heli and mother
of Christ, is holy aud blessed, and remains a virgin af-
ter the Saviour^ s birth I AND THE Papists are, at this

LATE DAY, PETITIONING THE POPE TO DECREE HER
CONCEPTION IMMACULATE.

lyth. That the spiritual sovereignty of the bishops
is supreme and independent of the civil authorities.

20th. That the Pope may set aside the choice of
the people, depose their legally constituted sovereigns
and magistrates, absolve the people from their oaths of
allegiance, lay their kingdoms under the penalties of
an interdict — i. e., prohibit them from the benefits of
communion and the other blessings of the Christian
religion — and appoint their rulers over them.

These points, and many more tending to fetter the
conscience, enslave the world, and reduce it to the obe-
dience of the Eoman hierarchy, were agreed upon, and
tribunals erected to enforce them ; among which, the
Inquisition, a secret court called holy^ established,
and for centuries actively employed, for the destruc-
tion of the servants of God, and of all those obnoxious
to the papacy, is the most formidable.

This power, holding and enforcing such doctrines,
sustained by nearly all Europe, and possessing colonies
and societies in all parts of the world, is to make war
upon the saints : and at the close of their prophesying
in sackcloth, when they shall have finished their testi-
mony, will overcome them and kill them. All the
other powers made war against the enemies of God :
to the Papists alone is decreed the basely pre-eminent
service of making war upon His people.

This war is made in a city called Sodom, and
Egypt, where also our [their] Lord was crucified.
What city is this? Isaiah (ch. 1: 10) calls "Zion"
Sodom and Gomorrah ; but, historically speaking, Jesus
was not crucified in Jerusalem, a circumstance espe-
ciallv noticed in Scripture (Mat. 27: 32, Mark 15:
20-21, John 19 : 20, Heb. 13 : 12) ; nor by the au-

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 255

thority of Jewish laws (John 18 : 31), nor by the rulers
of the temple, but by the authority of Rome under the
supervision and consent of Pilate, a governor appointed
by the Romans, and accountable to them for the exer-
cise or abuse of his powers. So that Rome, as the
centre and head of idolatr}^, may be the great city
meant ; and as city is the symbol of a people, any where
within her jurisdiction, either temporal or spiritual,
may be the place.

But the manner in which this war is to be waged,
the means and instruments by which it is carried on,
and the kind of death which the beast effects, must be
explained conformably to the nature of the lives and
being of the witnesses. Is it civil death — that is, de-
priving of the rights of citizenship ? To this the church
might be subjected, but the Bible cannot ; for being a
mere thing, a chattel, it could not suffer death by legal
ordinance, or legislative enactment, or judicial censure.
Is it figurative or spiritual death — that is, a death by
which its influence is paralyzed or suspended ? In
this sense, speaking by simile, the Bible may be slain.

Verse 9. — And they* of the people, and' kindreds, and tongues,
and nations, shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and
shall not sutfer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

Verse 10. — And they tliat dwell upon the earth shall rejoice
over them, and make^ merry, and shall send gifts one to another;
because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

Verse 1L — And after three days and a half,-'' the Spirit of life
from God entered into"* them, and they stood upon their feet ; and
great fear fell upon them which saw them.

Verse 12. — And they heard a great voice from heaven*, saying
unto them. Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a
cloud ; and their enemies beheld them.

^ And some of the people*

1 Ps. 70 : 2 ; Ec. 6 : 3 ; Isa. 33 : 1 ; Jcr. 7 : 33 ; Mat. 7:2; ch. 10 :
11 ; 13: 7; 17: 15.

^ Jud. 16 : 23 ; Ps. 13 : 4 ; Jcr. 38 : 4 ; Mi. 7: 8 ; Acts 5 : 33 ; ch. 12 :
13 ; 1 : 38.

3 Gen. 2:7; Josh. 2:9; Hos. 3:5; Acts 5 : 11 ; Pom. 8 : 2.

v Came into them.

•1 2 Kings 2 : 11 ; Ps. 15:1; Isa. 40 : 34 ; Eom. 8 : 84 ; 1 Thes. 4 : 17.

256 OUTLINES OF PKOFHETIC EEVELATION.

Verse 13. — And the same hoar there was a^ great earthquake,
and the tenth part of the cit)^ fell, and in the earthquake were
slain of men seven thousand ; and the remnant were affrighted, and
gave glory to the God of heaven.

Verse 14. — The second woe is past; and behold, the third woe
cometh quickly.''^

Emblems of the Text. — People and nations ^ &c.,
shall see thei?- dead bodies. This sweeping assertion, that
different nations of diverse languages, seeing the dead
bodies of the witnesses within three days and a half,
renders it impossible to understand the text literally ;
but individuals of different nations may be made their
representatives, and so, figuratively, different nations
be said to see them. And then three days and a half^
prophetic time, equal to three and a half years common
time, is an improbable period for human bodies to re-
main in the midst of the street of a city without putre-
faction. Hence we are to understand the witnesses to
be corporate or spiritual bodies, and their death to be
a civil or spiritual death.

The?j that dwell on the earth shall rejoice, &c. This as-
sertion corresponds with verse 9th, that different na-
tions beheld their dead bodies.

It appears, therefore, that the " great city called
Sodom, and Egypt," is made up of people, kindreds
and tongues and nations ; in other words, it appears
that the term city is here intended to symbolize states
and communities.

Spirit of life from God. — An expression emblemati-
cal of religious and holy zeal.

To stand up (ch. 11 : 4). — The emblem of resistance,
struggling, and defence.

Great voice^ the emblem of debates and proclama-
tions.

Heaven^ the place where God's laws are respected,
and his commands obeyed — the church.

J Gen. 6 : 4 ; 1 Sam. 6:5; Mai. 2 : 2 ; Ac. 1 : 15 ; ch. 8 : 9 ; 16 : 18.
2 Ch. 8: 13; 9: 12; 15: 1.

OUTI.INES OF PliOFHETIC REVELATION. 257

jScujinrj, Come up hither (cli. -i : 1). This same expres-
sion and command was made to John when this reve-
lation was given to him, and the door was first opened
in heaven.

Eartliqualce^ the symbol of sudden convulsions,
overturnings, and extensive, general, and overwhelm-
ing revolutions. At the closing np of this trumpet,
but under it, and parallel with the rising of the wit-
nesses, occurs this earthquake in which were slain of
men seven thousand. The Greek reads ^^ ovofiara av-
^/9&)7rft)z/," slain of the "names of men" seven thousand,
that is, noted men, men of name, men of titles, and
the "remnant were affrighted and gave glory to God."

Note. — Some have referred the fulfilment of this
Scripture to the scenes of the French Revolution and
the wars of Napoleon Bonaparte, A. D. 1789 to A. D.
1815. Some of those transactions do indeed so nearly
resemble this prophecy, that they almost appear to be
counterparts. But a more terrible earthquake may yet
be in reserve [after A. D. 1847], and within the next
half century convulse Europe and the world, which
shall more exactly fulfil the prediction. The papacy
did not commence its career prior to A. D. 606, from
that time it has 1260 years to run (ch. 11: 3; 13: 5),
so that it cannot be completed prior to A. D. 1866,
because,

1st. This power cannot persecute before it arises.

2d. It is this power that persecutes, as we have
seen (ch. 11 : 7, 8).

3d. It persecutes 1260 years, and it is at the close
of the persecution, when the witnesses have finished
their testimony of 1260 years in sackcloth, that this
power overcomes them three years and a half, then this
revolution occurs during Avhich they are resuscitated
and are caught up to heaven. This, therefore, is yet
future.

But the French Eevolution resembled the prophecy
in the following particulars, viz. : —

25S OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

1. French infidelity, through the decrees of the Na-
tional Assembly and its coadjutors abroad, nearly
paralyzed the efforts of the church.

2. The French infidelity discredited the Scrip-
tures.

3. It perverted the evidence of prophecy.

4. It obscured and rendered doubtful the history
of the Jews, and the prophecies respecting them.

6. It denied the moral tendency of the Scrip-
tures.

6. It denied the existence of God or the proba-
bility of a revelation, and denied the Christian re-
ligion, and the mission, miracles and Divinity of
Christ.

7. It denied the fall and sinfulness of man, or the
immortality of the soul, or the resurrection of the
dead.

8. This infidelity obtained currency and credit
so nearly universal, that even in the churches, the
doctrine of the resurrection and many other vital truths
are yet by some professedly converted men held to be
debatable questions, and have b^en by many aban-
doned, as unphilosophical, or impossible. This may
correspond to the slaughter of the witnesses.

9. The compliments and greetings of the literati,
of the secret and public societies, and of the national
councils of Europe, on account of the success of infi-
delity, might correspond to the rejoicing, and merry-
making of the prophecy.

10. The formation of Missionary and Bible Socie-
ties, with the consequent discussions that attended
them, both in and out of the church, and the life,
povfcr, and prosperity of the cause of Grod and truth,
and the activity and success of Christians, and the
vast increase and circulation of the Scriptures, their
translation into various languages, and the general
attention which they have elicited, may answer to
the spirit of life from God entering into them, and
their ascension.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 259

11. The terrible revolutions, bloodshed, anarchy,
and wars, which succeeded, or were contemporaneous
with these events, and seemed to proceed and grow
out of them, might be foreshadowed by the ' earth-
quake.'

12. The overturning of established customs, the
slaughter of royal families, the suppression or murder
of the nobilit}^, the wasting away of civic and military
titles, legal honors, and family distinctions, might an-
swer to the " slaying of the names of men seven thou-
sand."

But, 13, there is no history or tradition, that the
remnant of "the names of men," either through fear
or love, have given, glory to the ' God of heaven ;' and,
if not, another earthquake, of which that may have been
but an outline, may yet be in reserv^e. The witnesses are
3'et to be slain. But it must commence soon, because
this trumpet is drawing towards its termination, and
whether sooner or later, it is to exalt the name of God,
forward the cause of truth, and redound to the glory of
heaven's king ; and, when it shall have past, the second
woe will be finished and the third will follow quickly.

Since the above Avas written (a. d. 1847), in Febru-
ary, A. D. 1818, a revolution occurred in France, by
which Louis Philippe, King of the French, was driven
from his throne, the monarchical form of government
suppressed and a republic established in its stead. This
revolution spread over all the southern parts of Europe,
and decidedly affected all the nations from the Baltic
to the Black Sea. The same year, a. d. 1848, Pope
Pius IX. was deprived of temporal power, and a repub-
lic erected at Rome, which city the Pope left by stealth ;
but in July, A. D. 1849, the republic of Rome was for-
cibly overturned by the armies of the new republic of
France, and the pope invited to return. The kings of
Europe are collecting their forces to resist the republi-
can spirit and destroy their institutions, at the close of
which [if they succeed, which, from the prophecy, ap-

260 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION.

pears higbl}^ probable], they may proceed to the incar-
ceration and murder of Christians and the suppression
of the Scriptures, which will soon be followed by another
revolution involving the final overthrow of the present
order of things, and this be succeeded by the more gene-
ral acknowledgment of human rights.

Closing Keflections. — 1st (ch. 9 : 13, 21). The
Mahometans were not prepared to afflict the followers
of Christ, but to afflict the Arians, the Koman and
Greek Catholics, the Armenians, and other idolaters,
thieves, fornicators, &c. They arose at the beginning
of the sixth trumpet, from the great river Euphrates,
as a scourge to Asia, Africa, and Europe, to chastise
those men who had the seal of God in their foreheads,
and in their eagerness for conquest overrun Arabia,
Syria, Mesopotamia, Armenia, Scythia or Tartary, Per-
sia, AVestern China, and Southern Siberia. Thence,
sweeping south, they overrun Hindostan and India ;
and passed over the eastern Eoman empire. Encircling
the Euxine, they planted their standards in Dacia,
Macedonia, and Greece, in Southern Italy and the
Mediterranean isles. Thence through Egypt, up the
Nile and by the coast of Libya, along Numidia and
Mauritania, they entered Spain and waved the cres-
cent in Gaul. Thence returning, they conquered the
conquerors of China, Northern Siberia, Russia, and
Western Europe. With their army of two hundred
thousand horsemen, which were prepared for an hour,
a day, a month and a year, to kill the third part of
men, they became the leading commercial, literary and
warlike people of the earth, and have terminated their
commission, and, gradually wasting away through the
combined influences of sloth, effeminacy, tyranny and
disease, they are no longer the terror or dread of the
nations.

2d. Whenever Christians were injured by their
[the Mahometan] conquests, it was more the accidental
than the intentional effect of their career.

OUTLINES OP PROPHETIC REVELATION. 261

3d. The}^ were prepared and intended to chastise
those nations who preferred idolatry to Christianity,
or relapsed to idolatry and wickedness after professing
the Christian faith.

4th. When they finished their mission, their jDOwer
was suspended.

5th. Contemporaneous with these extensive con-
quests of Mahomet, the mighty angel which had for
some time been descending from heaven, came down
to the earth and planted his foot upon the [beast that
arose out of the] sea and land, and waged a continual
war with the saints and Scriptures, and these two wit-
nesses of the truth are given into his hand, and the
church, their holy cit}^, is trampled under foot twelve
hundred and sixty years, while they prophsey in sack-
cloth, when they are slain by the beast, and the nations
rejoice in their death. But the spirit of life from God
will enter into them, and they will hear the great voice
and ascend to heaven. Premonitory throes of the
earthquake are upheaving the nations, preparatory to
more terrible shocks, which shall frighten the remnant,
who will give glory to God.

6th. The beast which ascends from the bottomless
pit is the papacy, the Roman Catholic State Church, as
it has existed in its present form, which has never
ceased to persecute the two witnesses, except for a sea-
son— diverted by more pressing cares — to begin again
at the earliest moment of leisure.

7th. We are still to be careful and distinguish be-
tween the Roman Catholic church, or the papacy, which
rides upon the beast, or has become one with him only
by marriage of fornication or unlawful Avedlock, by
which union she becomes a harlot twelve hundred and
sixty years, and the beast himself. The beast is the
visilDle political papacy, and will repudiate the spiritual
power (ch. 17 : 16), make war on the Lamb (ch. 17 :
14), and receive upon himself the judgments of hea-
ven.

262 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATIOJ^.

Sth. The beast, then, is tlie politico-religious influ-
ence of the world. It is infidelity, wedded to idolatry,
and embodied in vain philosophy, human forms, and
unrighteous laws, and for years past has been con-
trolled, guided, or ridden by the papacy.

9th. The "great city," which is "spiritually called
Sodom and Egypt" (see v. 8), is that family of nations
which have hitherto, for ages, recognized the religious
supremacy of Rome [pagan and papal], through whose
connivance, and under whose authority, Jesus Christ
was crucified. And among these nations we are to
look for the earthquake which is to slay the "seven
thousand."

10th. We have seen, nearly, the consequences of
the second woe upon the world, and we can say that
thus far, neither mercy nor judgments have been suffi-
cient to wean it from sin or reclaim it to God. The
closing scene of this trumpet is to have the effect of
making them ' fear.' But the reformation is neither
so great, so permanent, or so extensive, as to supersede
the necessity of a seventh religious conflict, or a third
desolating woe.

11th. But, during the whole time, the temple and
the altar, and them that worship therein, are measured
and ' sealed,' — their number, power and influence are
exactly ascertained, so that none of them could be
missed or lost.

What are the 'present indications of great changes in re-
ligion and i^olitics ?

1st. The great activity of the church, by means,
and through channels, both authorized and unauthor-
ized in Scripture.

2d. The general diffusion of religious knowledge,
through the circulation of the Scriptures and publica-
tions of all sorts.

3d. The enlarged conceptions and hopes of the
church, and the exertions of missionaries.

4th. The rise of parties ; for the support of prin-

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 263

ciples, by tlie enlistment and voluntary organization of
parties, is a modern phenomenon, unknown in the past.
5tli. The rapid growth and restless innovations of
modern States.

Verse 15. — And the seventh angel sounded; and' there were
great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are
become the kingdoms of our Lord,"" and of his Christ ; and he shall
reign for ever and ever.

Verse 16. — And the four and twenty elders,b which' sat be-
fore God on their seats, fell upon their faces and worshipped God,

Verse 17. — Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord^ God Al-
mighty, which art, and wast, and art to come ; because thou hast
taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

Verse 18. — And the nations were angry,'' and^ thy wrath is
come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and
that thou shouldst give reward unto thy servants the [U'ophets, and
to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great ; and
shouldst destroy them which destroy^ the earth.

This trumpet is divided into two parts, the "voices
in heaven," and the worship of the elders.

Emblems of the Text. — The seventh angel sounds,
the seventh great religious conflict ensues.

Voices in heaven^ great discussions in the church.

Elders fall down and worship. Elders appear to
be the symbols of those who worship God both before
and since the Christian era. At least, of those of the
Mosaic and Christian dispensations.

The serious aim of all these discussions on the part
of the church, which, from a depressed and down-
trodden position, is to put on the life, power and acti-
vity of an aggressive and conquering movement, is to
bring the nations into submission to Christ. Under

1 Dan. 7 : 22, 27 ; ch. 7 : 10 ; 10 : 7 ; 12 : 10.
^ Are become of our Lord, &c.

b Presbyters.

2 Ch. 4 : 4, 10 ; 5 : 8-14 ; 7 : 11, 13 ; 11 : 16 ; 14 : 3.

3 Ch. 1 : 4^8 ; 4 : 8 ; 16 : 5 ; I'J : 6 ; Dan. 2 : 23 ; John 11 : 41.
c Wroth.

4 Ch. 20 : 11 ; Ps. 2 : 1 ; 85 : 9 ; Ec. 8 : 12 ; Dan. 7:9; Luke 1:5;
Heb. 9: 27.

d Corrupt.

264: OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

the previous trumpets, the enemies of Jehovah have
led off in the conflict, and made their movements with-
out the approbation of God, only as they have become
in his hands the instruments of vengeance for the chas-
tisement of the nations ; but "under this trumpet, the
church, with the spirit and approbation of Christ, and
the power and activity of the pentecostal saints, is to
conquer the nations, and proclaim that conquest with
great rejoicings, saying, ' The kingdoms of this world
are become of our Lord and his Christ, and he shall
reign for ever and ever.'

As this trumpet is yet future, the nature of the
changes which are to be made in the kingdoms and
governments of the world cannot be fully determined.
The startling experiments of the present age, and the
growing distaste manifested towards the settled order
of things, as it has existed during the sixth trumpet,
lead us to expect that completely new and hitherto
untried governments are to succeed us. But the full
development of the effects of the application of these
new principles to governments is yet at a distance of
nearly three centuries (see the calculations at the close
of this trumpet), but revolution is to succeed revolu-
tion, with perplexity of nations, the sea and the waves
roaring^ the people and the parties agitated, until the
principles of the Scriptures become fully recognized
and established among the peoples of the earth. The
rights of all will then be acknowledged and respected.
Governments shall be just, and their laws founded in
mercy and truth, if, indeed, any such governments as
we know of are permitted to exist. Governments, or
rather communities of mankind, can exist without the
burden and expense of officers, as is fully manifest
from Scripture (Jud. 17:6; Acts 4 : 32, 37. See also
Gordon's Hist., vol. i., p. 427 ; Backus's Ch. Hist.,
p. 194).

Under this seventh trumpet, the elders are again
brought into notice. We are first introduced to them

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 265

in cli, 4 : 4, where they are represented as sitting upon
twelve seats, around the throne of God, with crowns
upon their heads, and in verse 10, they acknowledge
their power and authority to be from the Lord, to
whom they render implicit obedience and solemn reve-
rential worship. In ch. 5 : 9, 10, these elders, although
but twenty -four in number, claim to be of "every kin-
dred and tongue, and people and nation," and that as
kings and priests they " shall reign upon the earth."

During the seven political controversies which grew
out of the opening of the seven seals, and all the reli-
gious controversies consequent upon the sounding of
the six trumpets which have preceded this, we hear
nothing of the elders. But they appear (in ch. 7) at the
setting up of the new kingdom ; and here again, when
the nations become of Christ, they give God thanks,
because He reigns, and rewards His servants, and
judges the dead. Would it be extravagant, if we should
infer, from all that is said of these elders, that the
world is yet to be divided into twenty -four govern-
ments or kingdoms, which, like so many independent
states, shall acknowledge the central supremacy of
Judea, when the law shall go forth of Zion and the
word of the Lord from Jerusalem ? (Mic. 4 : 1-8.)

The 17th and 18th verses contain the address of the
elders, when they worship before God. Of the anger
of the nations we shall yet have occasion to speak more
fully in chapters 17th and 19th. The address of the
elders is not complete, until after man}^ of the things
occur, which are recited in successive chapters.

The time of the dead. — The adjudging rewards to the
prophets and saints, and the destruction of them that
destroy the earth [i. e., corrupt the governments], seem
to be symbols representing the prosperity of the right-
eous in the persons of their successors ; as also the de-
struction of those who have tyrannized and destroyed
in the earth, is to be felt in tlie persons of those living
on earth at that time. Nevertheless, a judgment is
12

266 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIO REVELATION.

appointed personally and literally to the individual
dead, in their identical being, Avhen all will receive ac-
cording' to the deeds done in the body. Mat. 25 ; Eom.
14: : 10, 11 ; 2 Cor. 5 : 10 ; 1 Thes. 1 : 16, 17 ; 2 Thes.
1 : 7-10 ; Jude 14, 15.

How long do the conflicts under the seventh trum-
pet continue ? Unlike the other prophetic trumpets,
no time is given for the continuance of this. Hence
we must look to other sources to ascertain it. We are
distinctly told in ch. 11: 14, that it does not begin
until after the sixth trumpet terminates, upon Avhich
it will very soon commence. I have shown that the
sixth trumpet does not end before A. D. 1866; and this
seventh fills up the chasm between that time and the
reign of Christ, when the kingdoms of the world be-
come His. When will that time come ? We read that
Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until
the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled (Luke 21 : 24) ;
and that blindness in part has happened to Israel,
until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in, Avhen they
shall obtain mercy (Rom. 11 : 25-31). Now, is there
any place in Scripture which fixes the termination or
end? If there is, then, as we know its beginning, we
can compute its duration. Daniel says (Dan. ch. 8 : 14),
that from the time the daily sacrifice is taken away, to
the cleansing of the sanctuary, should be 2300 pro-
phetic days, equal to 2300 years common time. I
have shown that the history of those times is applicable
to the life of Antiochus Epiphanes (see fourth seal),
when he entered forcibly into Jerusalem, and offered
sacrifice in the temple to idols, by which the daily sa-
crifice was taken away, B. c. 170—68, A. m. 3836-34.
Two thousand three hundred years after this, the sanc-
tuary is to be cleansed by the Jews, who are then to
be in Palestine. Now, if we add the data of the Chris-
tian era, A. D. 1849, to the time of 170 years which oc-
curred before, we have 2019, which, taken from 2300

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 267

of Daniel, and we have 281 years for the duration of
the seventh trumpet and the fall of the papal beast.

Again : Subtract 170 from the 2800, and we have
A. D. 2130 for the termination of the seventh trumpet.
If the bases and data of these estimates are correct,
then we have arrived at the truth from this source.
If the data vary from the true chronology, then the
errors are to be excepted (see ch. 6 : 10, 11, and 12 : 5 ;
see also the variations which occur between some copies
of the Hebrew and the Septuagint on Dan. 8 : 14 ; but
might not that be a modern gloss or interpolation ?)

The desolation of the city of Jerusalem must cease
before the sanctuary can be cleansed. The termination
of the desolation and the rebuilding and cleansing of
the sanctuary must be successive events (see Eze. ch.
40, &c.)

Keflections. — On review of the seven trumpets,
none can be looked upon as extending to the world
more valuable information than the fifth and sixth ;
no one can be of more deep and vital interest to the
present and next generations of men than the seventh,
because we are now laying the foundation of those
changes which are so greatly to distinguish the seventh
trumpet from all the rest.

The conquests of the friends of Jesus, and the deso-
lations of his enemies, are as certain to ensue under the
seventh trumpet as were the predictions under the fifth
and sixth. Under this, too, the divine character will
be fully vindicated.

The inspiration of the author of the Revelation is
now clearly established. John foresaw and foretold
the state of the world for a period of more than seven-
teen hundred years which have elapsed, and for ages
yet in reserve. His prophecies corroborate the great
and sublime truth, that Jehovah takes an interest in
the affairs of men, interferes with their relations here
in this life, and rules on earth ! None are exempt from
His all-pervading care. John was certainly inspired

268 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

and commissioned to communicate this Eevelation to
the churches. Thus far, it is corroborated by history,
and the best informed historian may best understand
and appreciate the Eevelation. Whoever will take the
pains more fully to delineate the history of the times
of these seals and trumpets, will but more clearly eluci-
date and explain the emblems and symbols of the seals
and trumpets themselves. He will the more clearly
demonstrate the inspiration of the Scriptures and the
truths of our religion.

Verse 19. — And the temple of God was opened in .heaven, and
there was seen in' his temple, the ark of his testament: and there
were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake,
and great hail.

Emblems of the Text. — Temple of God opened. —
Temple is the place of God's settled worship, the sym-
bol of his church (verse 1).

Heaven is used figuratively to represent the church,
the body corporate of Jehovah's worshippers, and the
centre of His worship.

The application of these two figures may indicate, by
being "opened," that the true worshippers and their
spiritual worship are now revealed.

Ark. — The word "ark" is used in two senses in
Scripture. The first, the ark of preservation, prefigur-
ing baptism, in which Noah and his family were saved
through the flood, while the rest of the world were
drowned; and, similar to this, the ark in which the
infant lawgiver, Moses, was preserved, who became
the visible agent in the subversion of the Egyptian
monarchy, and the deliverer of Israel from slavery.

Second. The ark made by the direction of Moses
to inclose and protect the tables of the "testament," or
covenant of the first dispensation or visible worship of
Jehovah, under local, established, and prescribed forms.

1 Ch. 15 : 6 and 16-18-21 ; Ex. 25 : 21 ; Isa. 6:1; Eze. 13 : 11 ; 2 Cor.
3:4; Heb. 9:4.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION. 269

And this is the ark mentioned in the text as the " Ark
of His testament." Its being " seen" publicly, as it had
been only privately before while in the temple, indi-
cates that the way into the holiest of all is revealed,
the types and promises fulfilled and confirmed, and
their mysteries explained.

Lightnings (chs. 4 : 5 and 8 : 5), the symbols of in-
vasions and anger.

Voices and thunderiiigs portend discussions and de-
bates, musterings, preparations, and wars.

Earthquakes indicate revolutions and tumults, ch. 6 :
12-17, &c.

Hail. — Kail is an emblem of destruction, and sym-
bolizes sudden and angry changes of men in high of-
fice— both civil, military, and religious, — with judg-
ments upon the people.

The history of these symbols must show, therefore,
a great alteration in the constitution of the church —
hostile eruptions, exciting political and religious dis-
cussions, with sudden and angry changes of public offi-
cers, and national distress. But as we have taken a
cursory survey of this history under the fifth and sixth
seals (ch. 6 : 9, &;c.), a review is omitted here. This
history commenced at the period of 30 or 35 years be-
fore Christ, and runs on a considerable time after.
The plan of these and following symbols seems to be
this — viz.. The success of the attempts to establish false
and rival religions in those countries where the Gospel
was at first preached, and in those which afterwards
embraced the Gospel, having been predicted, together
with the judgments which were inflicted upon apostates
and idolaters — a new scene is here opened, and the
vision is carried back to show the condition of the
church, her progress in the world, and the scenes
through which she should pass, while her enemies were
thus attempting to supplant or betray and destroy her,
and for their wickedness were suffering the penalties
adjudged them of Heaven.

270 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

The time of this vision commences with the con-
quest of Juclea by the ."Romans, and the establishment
of their power in Palestine in the person of Herod the
Great, b. c. about 30 years, and runs on down to the
preaching of John the Baptist, the initiatory (Mark 1 :
1) of the new dispensation, a. d. 80 ; thence down to
the overthrow of the Roman Pagan Empire, A. D. 325 ;
thence describing the "seventh head of the beast," en-
gendered by the policy of Constantine ; then displaying
the whole "scarlet" dragon, as rode upon and guided
by the papacy, with the fall of the papacy, and the rise of
Protestantism in the form of a " beast from the earth,"
with the eventual overthrow of all opposition, and the
permanent peaceful establishment of the true church
" a thousand years." Then, after some recapitulations
and explanations, the end of all things is declared, with
exhortations to active holiness and a living faith.

CHAPTER XII.

1. A Woman clothed with the Sun travaileth. — 3. A great
Red D;;agon stands ready to devour the Child. — 6. The
Woman is delivered and fleeth into the Wilderness. — 7
The War of Michael, &.c.

Verse L — And there appeared a g-reat wonder* in' heaven: a
woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon
her liead a crown of twelve stars:

Verse 2 — And she, being with child, cried,*^ travailing in birth,
and pained to be delivered.

Verse 3. — And there appeared another wonder in^ heaven ; and

a Sia:n.

1 2 Ch. 32 : 31 ; Isa. 49 : 14 ; 60 : 1 ; 62 : 3 ; Hos. 2 : 19; Zech. 9 : 16
Mat. 12: 38: 2 Cor. 11 : 2 : Eph. 5: 25; Tit. 2: 11.

2 Isa. 53 ': 11 ; 66 : 7 ; Mi. 5 : 3 ; John 16 : 21 ; Gal. 4 : 19-27.

3 Ch. 13 : 1 ; 17 : 3 ; 20 : 2 ; Isa. 27 : 1 ; Dan. 2 : 42.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC KEVELATION. 271

behold, a groat red dragon, having seven heads and ten liorns, and
seven crowns nf)on his heads.

Verse 4. — And ins tail drew tlie third part' of the stars of hea-
ven, and did cast them to the earth : and the dragon stood before
the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child
as soon as it was born.

Note. — I did not suppose that among unprejudiced
writers, there could be room for a difference of opinion
on the construction of the opening scenes of this vision.
But in spite of the threefold testimony of — 1st, sym-
bols and figures; 2d, of their explanation here given
upon the page of the prophecy ; and 3d, the state-
ment of literal scriptural facts, which are again repeat-
ed and further illustrated in subsequent parts of the
book ; — I say, in spite of all this, men do differ in opin-
ion as to the construction of this text.

But the literal definition of the emblems of this vi-
sion, carefully compared with their historical events,
will lead unerringly to a right understanding of the
thing spoken of. God, in the Revelation, has spoken
to his " servants" (ch. 1 : 1) by symbols. If he intends
to be understood, of course he uses the symbols in the
sense in which they can be understood — the sense in
which men understand them. Did Grod, when he
spake in this book, intend to be understood? or did
he barely condescend to mock poor ignorant humanity
by offering rcAvards to those who keep the things which
are written therein (ch. 1 : 3), when he knew they never
could find out what was written therein for them to
keep ? The execration of the world has been heaped
upon the head of a Roman tyrant, for the alleged in-
justice of passing edicts, which he suspended so high
above the heads of the people that they could not learn
them, and then punishing them for infractions of these
very edicts he thas purposely concealed from their
knowledge. And is not the concurrent and sjDontane-

i Ex. 1 : 16 ; Dau. 8:9; Mat. 2 : 3-16 ; John 8 : 44 ; 1 Pet. 5 : 8.

272 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

ous judgment of the world in tliis case just? If we,
being evil, know how to judge righteously, how much
more shall our Heavenly Father do that which is right?
If God, therefore, intends us to understand the things
which he has spoken to us in the Revelation, he un-
questionably intends we shall understand him by a
proper, a literal interpretation of the symbols through
which he has spoken to us. Then why say some
among us, that God has wisely concealed these things
from the world,, that some might transgress and be de-
stroyed ? If this is indeed true of this book, then this
pretended Revelation is a tyrannical imposition — a
snare set for our feet. If it is true in any case, — that
is, if God has enjoined ordinances or issued commands
for our observance, or offered rewards to the obedient,
which are so vague, so uncertain, or indefinite that men
cannot understand them, — then indeed the Holy One
and the execrable tyrant of Rome have acted on the
same principles. The conduct of either can neither be
palliated nor excused. But if God has not done so — if
his commands are plain, so that none who are in the
way of duty need err therein (Isa. 35 : 8), who shall
answer for the wickedness by which he has been so
often assailed ? If the Gospel, or the will of God, or
the ordinances of Christ are hid, they are hid from
them that believe not (2 Cor. 4: 4). The god and
leaders of this world have blinded them. The fault is
not of the Bible, nor of its Author ; but we are be-
clouded" in the "smoke" and mists of another world,
whence the Bible did not originate. If, therefore, the,
symbols of this important and eventful period can be
determined with certainty and precision, then it fol-
lows that other similar emblems and figures may also
be explained, ^y carefully comparing these Avith
others — and it certainly seems that no one need mistake
these — we can thus far, at least, assure ourselves
Avhether we are correct or not.

Emblems of the Text. — 1st. Wonder in heaven;

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 273

a strange and important phenomenon appeared in the
church, the corporate body of God's people. 2d. A
woman clothed with the sun.

Woman is the symbol, 1st, of a city ; 2d, a bodj^ cor-
porate or politic, as a society, nation, or kmgdom.

Clothed^ the emblem of completion, fulness, or au-
thority (ch. 3 : 6).

Sun. The symbol of true religion, inspired pro-
phecy, and the corporate body (ch. 1 : 20), which com-
municates the knowledge of Grod's grace to the world.

3d. The moon under her feet symbolizes that she
stands upon or is sustained by the Mosaic religious
dispensation — in other words, is founded upon or takes
possession of the types, figures, prophecies, and law of
the Jewish temple service.

4th. Upon her head a crown of twelve stars.

Head. The leader or governor.^

Feet. Seech. 10: 1.

Crown. Eespect, honor, sovereignty, a monarchy
(ch. 4 : 4.)

Stars (ch. 1 : 19-20, &c.). The officers or represen-
tatives of ecclesiastical bodies.

A great 'i^d dragon.

Red is the symbol of w ar (ch. 6 : 4)

Dragon is a symbol used many times in Scripture.
In verse 9 and chap. 20 : 2, the term is explained, in
connection with ' serpent,' as s3aiibolizing the ' devil'
and 'satan.' In Luke 10: 19-20, the words serjjents
and scorpions are explained as signifying enemies and
wicked spirits.

The 2^icture of the dragon, as commonly represented
by publishers in the Bible, is a fabulous beast of a large
ferocious-looking head, with long jaws set with large
sharp teeth ; a long body, from which tapers a tail ter-
minating like a spear, both of which (the body and
tail) are covered with large, thick scales or shells of
horn ; the body is supplied with wings, or fins, like the
bat, upon the back — without feathers — which are armed
12"

274 OUTLINES OF PHOPHETIC KEVELATIOK".

with sliarp points. His feet are large and clumsy, with
strong claws. This frightfully pictured beast is usually
attended by a human figure habited in a flowing dress,
witli wings upon the shoulders, holding one end of a
long chain, of which the other end is inserted in a stout
collar fastened upon the neck of the dragon. The
head, teeth, neck, body, scales, legs, claws, and tail are
a fanciful painting, undoubtedly first suggested by the
appearance of the Egyptian crocodile, to which the
fins or wings have been added. To this amphib-
ious serpent, which usually buries itself in the waters
of the Nile during the daytime, and emerges at night,
Pharaoh ordered the males of the Hebrew infants to be
cast (Ex. 1 : 22). The crocodile is also the chosen em-
blem of the Egyptian nation, and is here selected by
the Revelator as the dragon which had obtained a place
in heaven, and was ready, like Pharaoh, to destroy the
"ruler of the nations" (v. 5) as soon as he was born.

This dragon has seven heads and ten horns.

Horns are the emblems of warlike sovereignties or
powers, whether republics or monarchies (see ch. 13
and ch. 17).

Crowns (ch. 4:4), the symbol of monarchies.

Tail (chs. 9, 10, and 18), a base or dependent power
or government.

Stars of heaven^ ecclesiastical officers or representa-
tives of the church.

Cast them to the earth. Caused them to apostatize, or
rest on an earthly government for the accomplishment
of religious ends, or to enforce religious doctrines.

Verse 5. — And she brouglit forth a man-child, who was to ruile
all nations with' a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto
God and to his throne.

Veese 6. — And the woman fled into the^ wilderness, where Bhe
hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a
thousand two hundred and threescore* days.

1 Ps. 2 : 9 ; 1 Cor. 15 : 25 ; ch. 2 : 27 ; 19 . 15 ; 14 : 19.

2 Ch. 11 : 3 ; 1 Kings 17 : 3-9, and 19:4=; Mat. 4 : 11.
^ Twelve hundred and sixty days.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 275

Emblems of the Text. — Rule with iron (cli. 2 : 27)
' — that is, shall rule with a steady and strong hand.

Throne (ch. 4 : 2), the symbol of authority and
judgment.

Wormian (see verse 2). Wilderness is used to express,
1st, the open country ; 2d, pasture lands ; 8d, barren
or desert places, or woodlands, or any uncultivated or
unfrequented wastes ; 4th, confusion or mystery.

Feed — 1st, to supply or enrich ; 2d, to instruct
(John 21 : 15).

A thousand two hundred and threescore days. A score
is twenty. The w^hole sum is twelve hundred and
sixty: each day for a year makes 1260 years (see ch.
2 : 10, and 9 : 15, &c.). This time is the same in dura-
tion as the prophecy of the tw^o witnesses in sackcloth
(ch. 11 : 3).

Verse 7. — And there was war in heaven -^ Michael and his
angels fought against the dragon ; and the dragon fought, and his
angels,

Verse 8. — And prevailed not; neither was their*^ place found
any more in heaven.

Verse 9. — And the great dragon was cast out,^ that old ser-
pent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world:
he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with
him.

Verse 10. — And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is
come salvation,* and strength", and the kingdom of our God, and
the power of his Christ : for the accuser of our brethren is cast
down, w4iich accused them before our God day and night.

Verse 1L — And they overcame him by the blood'of the Lamb,
and by the word^ of their testimony ; and they loved not their lives
unto the death.

Verse 12. — Therefore rejoice, ye heavens,^ and ye that dwell
in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea ! for

* Dan. 10 : 13-21, and 12:1; Jude 9.

2 Dan. 2 : 35.

3 Gen. 3:1-4: Luke 10 : 18 ; John 12 : 31 ; 2 Cor. 11:3; ch. 20 : 2,
< Job 1 : 9 and 2:5; Zech. 3:1; ch. 5 : 12, and 11 : 15.

a The salvation and the might.

5 Eom. 8 : 83-84-37, and 16 : 20.

6 Ps. 96 : 11, and 148 : 1 ; Isa. 49 : 13 ; ch. 8 : 13.

276 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he
knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Emblems of the Text. — War in heaven. A reli-
gious conflict in the visible church, not with arms and
weapons of carnal warfare, but spiritual weapons. A
war of doctrines, opinions and observances.

Michael. This name, the meaning of which imports
the question, " Who is like God ?" is nearly the same
as Michaiah, " Who like the Lord?" Jude calls Mi-
chael an archangel (Jude 9). In Daniel 12 : 1, he is
called "the great prince which standeth for the chil-
dren of thy people." In Dan. 10 : 13, he is called one
of the chief princes. In this place he is said to have
angels. And both Michael and his angels fought
against the Dragon and his angels. And the Dragon
and his angels fought against Michael. The Dragon,
therefore, has angels ; and the angels of both Michael
and the Dragon are found in the visible church.

In this position, Michael seems to be the symbol
for truth or true religion ; Dragon for error, false or
politico-religion and idolatry. But Michael is not the
man-child.

The dragon ivas cast out. The church is purged
from idolatry, and separated from the political estab-
lishment ; and all false religions and religious errors
have ever since appealed to and relied upon the earth,
i. e., worldly governments, to sustain them. Now is
come the kingdom of our God (v. lU). This voice in
heaven indicates the rejoicing of the spiritual worship-
pers, and the organization of the spiritual church.

Woe to the inhahiters of the earth and sea. The at-
tempts of earthly governments and kingdoms to estab-
lish a politico-religious system, would only prove to
subserve the cause of error, and entangle them in difiQ.-
culties and perplexities, wars and distress (see ch. 9).

History. — Having thus far considered the symbols
of this chapter, let us turn and search for their fulfil ■
ment, guided by the lamp of historic truth.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 277

Verses 1-4. — When God brought up the Hebrews
from Egypt, he divided the nation into three depart-
ments, the religious, miUtary, and executive or judicial
(Ex. 18), Jehovah having himself framed their consti-
tution and laws (Ex. 20, &c.), so that they needed no
legislators nor legislation. The military and executive
were at first elective from among all the tribes, but the
religious department was confined to the tribe of Levi,
and the high-priesthood was made hereditary in the
house of Aaron. To these also were confided the inte-
rests of popular education and the court of final appeals.
Samuel afterwards united the religious and executive
departments, the latter of which, wrested from his
hands by the clamors of the people (1 Sam. 8), was,
together with the military, conferred upon Saul of
Benjamin, which afterwards became hereditary in the
house of David, of the tribe of Judah. The pure and
simple republic of Moses having thus been changed to
an hereditary monarchy^, the landmarks of freedom
were graduall}^ obliterated. The laws were encum-
bered and mystified with a mass of judicial decisions
or common law rules, called ' traditions,' which were,
in fact, the arbitrary and unlawful legislation of the
Judges, and they eventually superseded both the civil
and religious constitutions of the country (Matt. 15).
These traditions having^ accumulated for centuries, were
filled with an endless category of minute and burden-
some observances and superstitions, which fettered the
intellect, perverted the judgment (Luke 12 : 57, John
7), divided the people, destroyed the liberties of the
nation, and nearly dissipated from the minds, both of
the rabbis and their pupils, the last remnant of religious
knowledge (Matt. 23). Thus groping in darkness and
oppressed by military and religious tyrants, the people
groaned under the yoke of their grievances, and the
devout ardently and anxiously looked for Jehovah to
send them a guide and deliverer. Nor was the civil,
moral, or religious condition of the surrounding na-

278 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION".

tions of the earth any bettei\ Sunk in debasing idol-
atry and governed by military despotisms, the wisest
of them gave np all thoughts of a reform, unless ef-
fected by the Creator. To God, therefore, the wishes
of mankind became gradually turned, and these wishes
were, at length, transformed into hope. So that when
the long expected time for his birth had arrived, the
saints looked with great eagerness for his appearing,
and the expectation had become general throughout the
whole east (Asia, Europe and Africa), that an important
personage was about to arise ;^ and all eyes were settled
on Judea as the land, and the line of David as the
family, from which this mighty champion should be
raised up to instruct, enlighten, and convert the peo-
ple, and, assuming the government of Palestine, should
reduce all nations to his dominion, and reign with
great splendor many years. But some of the better
informed in the Scriptures of the Prophets looked for
a deliverer, whose glory should not consist in the vain
trappings and diadems of earthly governments alone,
but in the homage of hearts ; a deliverer who should
liberate mankind from their gross moral darkness, and
point out to them the road to happiness and the gate
of heaven — a Saviour from sin. The excitement of
this anxiety was greatly heightened by the terror of
the Poman arms then rising to the sovereignty of the
world. Thus excited, the depravity of mankind broke
forth into lawless fanaticism, and ambitious or deceived
pretenders seized upon the occasion thus presented, to
raise sedition against their rulers, and, urging the peo-
ple to acts of violence, plunged them deeper into sla-
very. Many, without a reformation of manners, forsook
idolatry and embraced Judaism, and many more be-
came infidels or Sadducees; and things were every
where growing worse, " darkness covered the earth,
and gross darkness the people," when Jesus Christ, the

'" Tacitus, Joseplius, Suetonius.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 279

long-expected, Mighty One, was born in Betlilehem
of Judea, which event was, immediately and simulta-
neously, announced by miracle to the shepherds keep-
ing watch over their flocks on the neighboring hills at
night, and to the Magi busily pursuing their astrono-
mical studies from the extensive table-lands or obser-
vatories of the East.

But no sooner was his birth, thus made known, an-
nounced to the world, than an extensive conspiracy
was planned for his destruction (Matt. 2). The visible
agents in this conspiracy were, at first, Herod the
Great, then reigning in Judea by the aid of the Eomans,
and afterwards, Pontius Pilate, a Eoman proconsul,
together with the people and senate of the Jews. But
the symbol of the text, by which these conspirators are
represented, is a great red dragon having seven heads,
upon which are seven crowns and ten horns (verse 3),
which I have before shown are the emblems of sove-
reign states, and infidelity embodied in idolatry, false
philosophy and unrighteous laws (ch. 11 & 12 : 1-4).
As this same symbol again occurs (ch. 13), and is ex
plained (ch. 17), we may here anticipate some things
concerning it which are afterwards more fully illus-
trated.

1st. This whole dragon, serpent or beast, is infi-
delity embodied in idolatry and false philosophy, sup-
ported by unrighteous laws.

2d. The body of the beast or dragon had not at that
time been developed, as we learn (ch. 17 : 10) ; only five
of his heads had then arisen. But it was gradually to
be displayed to the world in after ages, and, at this
day, when its body is nearly complete, we may look
back upon it and reckon up its distinguishing features,
and looking forward by the light of prophecy, contem-
plate its end. The several great nations of the world,
which have enforced their religions by law, are parts
of the Dragon. And that natiou which, in its day,
has taken the lead in infidelity or opposition to the

280 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

truth, has generally been the most noted and mighty
of its times. Its location has been nearest the centre of
Jehovah's worship, and in the age or era of its exist-
ence is, in Scripture, represented as a head, the body,
or a horn of the beast, and to the present time may be
reckoned as follows, in the subjoined table: —

j Empire. Capital. Location. Religion.

1st. Assyria, Nineveh, Asia, on the Euphrates Sabian (eh. 8 :

or Tigris. 6-9).

2d. Chaldea, Babylon, Asia, on the Euphrates, Sabian.
3d. Medo-Per- Shushan, Asia, on the Tigris, Magian. (oh. 8 :

sian, 9, note.)

4th. Macedon, Pella, Europe, on the Astraeus, Sabian idolatry,

5th. Syro-Media, Asia, between the Eux- Degenerate Sa-

ine and Euphrates, bianisra.

6th. Rome, Europe on the Po, Paganism or

idolatry.
7th. The east- Constantino- On the confines of Eu- New divinities,
ern Roman pie, rope and Asia, on the that is, idolatry

empire, Thracian Bosphorus. ingrafted upon

Christianity, &
called the Ca-
tholic, i. e., the
general or uni-
versal religion.

The eighth, the body of the beast, is the European
papal nations, rode upon or guided by Eome, headed
by the Pope, under the emblem of a drunken harlot
(ch. 17 : 1-5). Their religion is Roman Catholic, dif-
fering from the Eastern or Greek Catholics, in several
particulars. The most noted are,

1st. The Greek Catholics disown the authority of
a pope, which the Roman Catholics acknowledge.

2d. The Greeks deny human infallibility (see ch.
11 : 7-8), purgatory, and the right or power to grant
indulgences to sin.

8d. The Greeks immerse proselytes and the native
youths of their nation, the Romans sprinkle proselytes
and infants.

4th. The Greeks administer the Lord's Supper in
both kinds, and admit all baptized children to commu-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC KEVELA^J'ION. 281

nion, both of -wbicli are contrary to the Eoman prac-
tice.

5th. The Greeks allow the marriage of priests,
which is forbidden by the Romans.

6th. The Greeks maintain that the Holy Ghost pro-
ceeds only from the Father and not from the Son ; the
Romans hold the procession is from both Father and
Son.

7th. The Greeks admit off )ur Sacraments, Baptism,
the Eucharist, Penance, and Orders, to which the Ro-
mans or papists add three more, Confirmation, Extreme
Unction, and Matrimony.

8th. The Greeks use paintings and engravings on
copper or silver in their worship, and pay great vene-
ration to relics ; but admit of no images, in relievo or
embossed work, all of which are recommended and
defended by the papists.

The tail of the beast is that dependent or catspaw
nation which, during the existence of the body of the
beast, or any of its heads, is the subservient tool of the
leading power, and which, during the sixth or pagan
Roman head, was Judea ruled by the cringing, san-
guinary Herod, and his feeble, vicious successors.

The four feet, servants or supports during the pa-
pacy, have been, successively, Italy, with the Venetian
republic, A. d. 600, France, a. d. 768-800, Spain, at
the head of the German empire, A. D. 1100-1500, and
Austria, 1700. (See page 1-11.)

The seven crowned heads are reckoned from Assyria
to the Byzantine or eastern Roman empire.

The ten horns are cotemporaneous and successive to
the papacy, or body of the beast, and, of course, out-
live that form of the beast (ch. 17 : 16), and are to
overthrow the pope (ch. 17).

The pope and councils are the mouthpiece of the
beast during the existence of the papacy; and laws,
bulls, ordinances and decretals, are the language it
speaks.

Having thus given an outline of the Dragon, the

282 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

symbol of the text by whicli the conspirators against
Jesus Christ, as head of the church, are described, I re-
turn to sketch the progress of the war waged against
the child [Jesus], his mother [the woman clothed with
the sun], (Matt. 12 : 48), and the remnant of her seed
(v. 17).

Papal Eome was then the head of the Dragon, and
Judea the tail, which were ready at the birth of Christ
to devour the Kuler of the nations, and cast down the
stars to the earth.

Note. — Idolatry was in the visible church, among
the worshippers of Jehovah, in the daj^s of Moses and
Aaron, and was never fally eradicated until the time
of Christ. Hence the Dragon is said to be in heaven
with his angels or emissaries ; and the Hebrews brought
their idolatry from Egypt.

Yer. 5, 6. She brought forth a man-child^ &c. Ac-
cording to most chronologists, Jesus Christ was born
in the twenty-sixth year of the reign of Augustus Cae-
sar, A. M. 4004 ; in the year of the building of Eome,
754 ; in the 4th year of the 195th Olympiad — Julian
Period 4714.*

Augustus reigned 44 years. Subtract 26 (the time
of his birth) from 44, and we have 18 as the age of
Jesus at the death of Augustus. Jesus was crucified
in the eighteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar.
Add the eighteen years of his life during the reign of
Augustus and the eighteen during the reign of Tibe-
rius, and we have thirty-six as the age of Jesus at the
time of his crucifixion. But some time before the
death of Augustus, he had made Tiberius his colleague
in the empire, so that, possibly, the reign of Tiberius
may be dated before the death of Augustus.

The death of Christ is not alluded to in the emblems
of this text, as that would seem to be incompatible

* Chronologists vary as to the time of the birth of Jesus from four to
sixty years, and from three to seven years as to his age at the time of his
crucifixion.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 283

with universal dominion and unlimited authority, nor
is liis resurrection, only his ascension and assumption
of power. His death and resurrection, which were for
religious, not governmental purposes, are spoken of
hereafter (ch. 14 : 1, &c.).

The woman fled, kc. Woman, as we have seen, is
the symbol of a body corporate, and in this place is
shown by the connection to represent the saints of God.
Jesus denied that Marj^, the wife of Joseph, was, in a
religious sense, his mother (Matt. 12 : 46-50), but point-
ing to his disciples, declared that they were his mother,
and sisters, and brethren. These, therefore, are the
symbolical woman that fled into the wilderness, where
they are to remain during the continuance of the pa-
pacy, the prophecy of the witnesses in sackcloth (ch.
11), and until the time of the end of the sixth trum-
pet.

Yer. 7-9. War in heaven. Michael, in this place
the emblem of truth or true religion, made war against
the Dragon, the emblem of infidelity or false religion,
and the followers of each holding a place in the visible
church, all claiming to be right, made war upon each
other. The saints, relying upon the righteousness of
their cause and the help of God, claimed and used no
other weapons but the soundness of their doctrines
and the purity of their lives, commending themselves
to the consciences of men, in the sight of God, while
the enemy, despairing of success by such means, fell
back upon the secular arm, and thus was cast out from
the protection of God, unto the earth, for his support,
and his angels were cast out with him ; nor was their
place found any more in [the kingdom of] heaven !
Since that time, the true church has never been estab-
lished by the laws of the world, nor upheld by national
force. And from its very nature, it is impossible it
should be. All that is truly valuable in religion affects
the conscience, and is a secret between its possessor
and God. It is a secret principle established in the

284 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION

mind; is above the reach or control of human laws,
and can neither be implanted, regulated, or eradicated
by them. The only benefit the religion of Jehovah or
the people of Jesus have ever received from legislation
was to be let alone, and left, like other men, to the
enjoyment of their consciences. True religion is not
of this world, and never will be beholden to human
laws or carnal weapons for its success. It divides its
glory with no earthly power ; and neither the Dragon,
nor his angels nor abettors, have ever benefited the
church by legislative enactments on religious subjects.
Nor, indeed, has legislation on this subject ever bene-
fited the world. Wherever it has been attempted, as
it often has, legislators have stepped beyond the sphere
of their jurisdiction, usurped prerogatives, which they
could neither wield nor maintain, have encroached upon
the exclusive rights of Jehovah, and violated the trusts
delegated to their hands. Kor are these remarks the
idle vagaries of a thoughtless fancy. . Look at the his-
torical fragments of the Egyptian monarchy. Who
can rise from a considerate and comprehensive review
of the policy of Memphis or Cairo, and say that truth
or virtue have ever been advanced by their legal reli-
gious establishments ? Wherein was Egypt benefited
by the atheism or idolatry of the court of Pharaoh ?
And did the glory of Hecatoupolis,"^ or her moral
power, consist in the worship of Mnevis or her Apian
rites ? Who is made more holy, more pure, or more
virtuous by the scenes of Adrammelech (2 Kings 17 :
31), or the faith of Sennacherib ?

Of what benefit was the Sabianism of Babylon or
Macedon, or the Magianism of Parthia, or the idolatry
of Kome ? Who pretends that the lewdness and des-
potism of the legal paganism of the present age, either
within the temples of Confucius or Boodh, in the
church of Marj^, or upon the sands of Africa, improve

* Thebais.

outli:n"es of prophetic revelation. 285

the intellect or cultivate the mind ? Neither the en-
chantment of Gibbon's pen, in the descriptive sj^mme-
trj of Julian rising to empire in the name of the ' im-
mortal gods ' of his ancestors, nor the Homerian lyre,
chanting the fates of Dion"^ or the wisdom of Minerva,
can make us forget their votaries were impure and
their relio-ion a dream. If the modern reliorion of Asia
and Africa, and the ancient worship of Europe and
America, cannot be commended, who will arise against
the light of history, the declarations of prophecy, and
the decisions of the Most High, and defend the bloody
and oppressive forms of modern Europe or the recent
blindness of New England !

We may gather, therefore, both from histor}^ and
Scripture, that all politico-religious establishments are
corrupt, and, since the time of Christ, have been anti-
Christian. Nor did the Jewish worship, the form and
excuse for all other politico-religious establishments,
ever answer any beneficial purposes to that people.
It proved to them a snare and a trap, a stumbling-block
and a curse ; a cruel and oppressive yoke which neither
they nor their proselytes were able to bear. And the
benevolent Author of all good found fault with it and
took it away. It was imposed or allowed (1 Sam. 8 :
7, &c.) at first as a punishment for transgressions (Heb.
9 : 10 ; Rom. 5 ; Gal. 3 : 19), and all other politico-reli-
gions have been found to subserve a like purpose ; and
when Jehovah, through them, has sufficiently scourged
the vices of the nations, he will take them away.

To prevent the church from usurping worldly do-
minion in free states, has exercised the vigilance of
modern demagogues. But to escape from the harass-
ing enactments of worldly legislators has been, and
ever will be, the desire of every enlightened follower
of Jesus. Jesus neither asked nor desired the interpo-
sition of human laws to enforce his worship nor extend

* Jupiter.

286 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION".

his church. Nor will any man who possesses his
spirit.

The grand design of separating the church from the
world having been triumphantly accomplished by Jesus
and his followers, politics, which is but another name
for the philosophy of human governments, became
thenceforward an earthly object for temporary ends,
and from that day worldly men and earthly govern-
ments have tried in vain to become legislators for the
church, and thus usurp the prerogatives of Christ, its
sole lawgiver. The wars of Michael and the Dragon
may be seen in the history of those conflicts of earthly
potentates, attempting to legislate unregenerate men
into the church, and a fixed and persevering endeavor
on her part to prevent their doing so. In other Avords,
the war waged on the part of Michael is to prevent the
world being mixed with the church, and the object of
the Dragon is to confound them together ; and this,
thus far, is the tendency of every legal establishment
of professed Christianity, and we may justly infer it
ever will be. Hence all such are wrong. Because the
truth of Jesus and the glory of God could not thus be
confounded with the world or obliterated from the
earth, the " Dragon, that old serpent, called the Devil
and Satan," and his angels, have, from generation to
generation, been filled with great wrath against the
true religion of Jehovah and the followers of the Lamb.
(See ch. 9 and 11.)

Yer. 10-12. A loud voice in heave?!. At the same
time the Avar commenced between Michael and the
Dragon (v. 7), and as a proclamation which marshalled
the parties to combat, after the ascension of the Man-
child who was to rule all nations with a sceptre of iron,
it was proclaimed in [the kingdom of] heaven, on
earth, that the 'kingdom of God ' was set up (ch. 7 :
1-10), which was confirmed by miracles, and, more
than all, by the regeneration of the souls of men, pre-
pared and wrought by the Spirit of God and ' the

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 287

power of his Christ,' which made them living witnesses
of the truth ; and they have, from that day to this,
overcome error, not by human laws, but by the word
of their testimony as against the world, and by the
blood of the Lamb as against their own sins. They
have perilled their lives for the religion of the Bible,
and preferred martyrdom to apostacy, and death to de-
ception or compromise (Acts). The primitive disciples
of Jesus, as commended in the Scriptures, are the pat-
tern and first fruits of successive saints.

Verse 13. — And when the dragon saw that he^ was cast out
unto the earth, he persecuted the woman that brought forth the
man-child.

Verse 14. — And to the woman were given two^ wings* as of
a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place,
where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from
the face of the serpent.

Verse 15. — And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a
flood,^ after^ the woman, that he might cause her to be carried
away of the flood.*=

Verse 16. — And the earth helped the woman ;^ and the earth
opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood^ which the dragon
cast out of his mouth.

Verse 17. — And the dragon was wroth with' the woman, and
went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which® keep the
commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Emblems of the Text. — Wir^gs (ch. 9 : 9), the
emblems of speed or protection.

JSagle (ch. 4 : 7), the symbol of sovereignty, rapacity,
and swiftness.

1 Gen. 3:15; Ps. 37 : 12 ; John 16 : 33.

2 Dan. 7 : 35 and 12 : 7 ; ch. 12 : 6 ; Ex. 19 : 4 ; Ps. 55 : 6 ; Isa. 40 : 31.
\ ^ The two wings.

b As a river.

3 Ps. 18 : 4, and 65 : 7, and 93 : 3 ; Isa. 8 : 7, and 28 : 2, and 59 : 19 ; ch.
17:15.

c Carried away by the stream,
4,Ex. 12 : 35 ; 1 Kings 17 : 6 ; 2 Kings 8 : 9.
d River.

5 1 John 5 : 13 ; ch. 6 : 9 ; Eze. 1:1; Dan. 10 : 4 ; Mat. 28 : 20 ; 1 John
5 : 2.

« Who kept.

288 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Wilderness (cli. 12 : 6) is "ased metaphorically, to re-
present things barren, chaotic, or repulsive.

Time, time, and half a time. This numerical computa-
tion is the same as a year, two years, and a half a year,
or 42 months, or 1260 days; equal to 1260 years com-
mon time, as in verse 6th.

Serpent (ch. 9 : 13-21, ch. 12 : 44), the same as drag-
on ; the symbol, 1st, of the devil and evil spirits ; 2d,
of infidelity or idolatry and any false religion ; and 3d,
of any enemy that is sly, insidious, or crafty.

Water as a flood. In Grenesis (chs. 6th, 7th, and 8th),
there is an account of a flood of waters which fell from
the windows of heaven, or arose from the foundations
of the great deep, and submerged the earth, so as to
destroy every living creature that breathed on the
earth, except a few, who were preserved in an ark built
expressly for that end. Besides which, there are tra-
ditions, now embodied in history, of partial floods, by
which large portions of the earth's surface have at
times been covered with water, either by the action of
earthquakes, tides, or long-continued rains. There
is, however, no account of any which was so complete
and destructive as that detailed in Genesis, which hap-
pened A. M. 1656, B. c. 2348, — visible indications of
which are to this day apparent upon the face of the
whole world, the highest mountains as well as the val-
leys and plains of every country furnishing indubitable
evidence to sustain the historic narrative. But the
word translated "flood" is in Gr. nrora^ibv, and may
be rendered river; and the reading would be: " And
the serpent sent forth from his mouth, after the woman,
water, as a river, that he might cause her to be carried
away by the stream."

W'^i^'^ is the emblem of people and nations (ch. 8 :
11, and 17 : 15.) River, the symbol of principles, spirit,
doctrines, philosophy, moving people, marching armies,
&c. (ch. 7 : 8). Mouth is used as the figure or emblem,
1st, of the language which proceeds from it, and is the

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 289

symbol of commands, decrees, laws, &c. ; 2d, of ser-
vants, &c. The meaning of the emblems of the loth
verse seems to be that the dragon, disappointed in his
attempts to destroy the man-child^ or to destroy the
church by a direct war of persecution, devised the
cunning stratagem of overwhelming it by legislative
enactments, philosophy, and false issues, by which,
great multitudes of people, like a river, are turned to-
wards tlie church, by which it is inundated with un-
converted members, among whom, it was hoped, the
true saints might be entirely carried away and lost.

The earth helped, the icoman^ &c. (v. 16). Earthy the
symbol of political power, authority, influence, &c. (ch.
5:9-10).

Dragon ivent to make ivar, &c. (v. 17), Taking this
whole verse together, we may infer that the emissaries
and supporters of infidelity or false religion, having
failed to devour the church, either by an open and vio-
lent persecution or by an inundation of memhers^ now
peevishly set themselves at work in the little business
of vexing individuals either by artifice or force.

History. — As these symbols in chapter twelfth
are partly a review of preceding histories, we shall
have frequent occasion to observe their connection
with other histories of the world which are not now
distinctly brought before us. We find the history of
the infant church of Jesus, as it came fresh and new
from the hands of its Master and Lord, luminously
drawn by the inspired penman of the "Treatise" called
the Acts of the Apostles, after whose death and the
fall of Jerusalem, the Christian religion, which had
previously been, in the eyes of the Roman emperors,
confounded with Judaism (if indeed it had at that time
attracted their notice at all), spread so rapidly and
gained so extensively upon the empire, as to excite at
first the surprise, then the opposition of the court.

This religion presented to the state three features
peculiarly offensive.
13

2^0 OUTLINES OF P1?0FHETIC REVELATION,

FiKST. It was the policy of Pagan Eome to allow all
foreigners the liberty of worshipping according to the
customs of their own country, while they paid due re-
spect to the established religion of the empire. But
the Christians treated the idolatry of Kome with ab-
horrence, and denounced upon its votaries the ven-
geance of Jehovah and the damnation of hell. Hence
they were regarded as bigots and enthusiasts, w^ho
wantonly disturbed the peace of society ; and if they
persevered after being threatened and punished, they
were thought to be contumacious and evil -disposed
persons, whose growing importance and mischievous
dogmas were a serious cause of alarm to all the friends
of the empire

Secondly. The emperors claimed and exercised a
jurisdiction over the consciences of their subjects and
the religion of the state. This prerogative the Chris-
tians claimed as belonging only to Jehovah, and that
its pretended exercise by worldly sovereigns was an
usurpation of the natural and inalienable rights of
man, which could not be infringed without sinning
against God, and must excite the indignation of Deity,
and call down upon the emperor and the state the re-
tributive judgments of Heaven. Hence they were
looked upon as the enemies of law and good order, and
as hostile to the best interests of the state.

Thirdly. The government of the empire stjav at
that time a settled despotism, the "jDleasure" of the
sovereign being the law of the realm, notwithstanding
a shadow, called a senate, which pretended to enact
laws, but whose business was, in realit}^, obsequiously
to study and echo the emperor's will. But the Chris-
tians collected together, and organized small bodies of
men and women into societies, called assemblies or
churches (Gr. €KKXr)aLa), the laws of which were purely
republican, in which all members were placed upon a
footing of perfect equality, whether male or female
(John 3:8; Gal. 3 : 28), freeman or slave (Col. 3 : 25),

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 291

rich or poor (Jas. 2: 1-3-9; 1 Pet. 1: 17). In these
republics, the distinctions of society, both Pagan and
Jewish, were wholly unknown. The members were
taught and claimed a complete independence of con-
science and the right of thinking for themselves, and
they exercised the liberty of disregarding or violating
the religious laws of the empire at their pleasure ; nor
could they be checked by bribes, immunities, or threats.
This was construed into designs and overt acts of re-
bellion and treason against the state, which, in a des-
potic government, is peculiarly annoying. Hence
Christians were condemned upon such prima facie evi-
dence of guilt, without stopping to investigate their
principles or to inquire into the merits of their cause.

Fourthly. Another feature in the Christian reli-
gion, which rendered it unpalatable to the population
of Pagan Rome, consisted in the fact, that every suc-
ceeding generation of Pagans was taught to revere and
worship the famous statesmen and warriors of the pre-
ceding age, as having a great influence with the " im-
mortal gods," by whom they were constituted the pro-
tectors of particular cities, the beatified patrons of par-
ticular families and individuals, and the guardians of
the temples in or near which their mortal remains
were deposited after death ; but the Christian religion
taught that this, however pleasing to the superstition
or grateful to the pride of families, was a gross delu-
sion, and that there was but one mediator between
Grod and man, the man Christ Jesus.

These things having excited the hatred and oppo-
sition of the people and emperors of Rome, their hos-
tility at times broke out into seditions and mob-like
violence. On other occasions persecution assumed the
grave and steady tone of law. But the sudden and
bloody changes in the government, which at this period
so frequently attended the choice ors uccession of ma-
gis:irates, generally suspended or shortened the continu-
ance of persecution, by diverting the attention of the

292 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

emperors from this to other objects affecting their per-
sonal safety or the permanency of their thrones ; so that
persecution seldom lasted longer than the reign of a
single sovereign, and Avas then very often interrupted
or partially suspended, and was at no time general
throughout the empire, which was overturned by the
policy of Constantine, about two and a half centuries
after the fall of Jerusalem. The most noted persecu-
tions which occurred under the direction or approba-
tion of the Pagan emperors, were those of Nero, A. D.
60-68; the Antonines, A. D. 140-175; Severus, A. D.
200 ; and Dioclesian, A. D. 290-300.

Note. — The persecutions of the Pagan emperors
are usually reckoned ten in number. Why "ten"
should have been adopted, as a fixed and standard
number, in this instance, is difficult to imagine, because
it is unsupported by history or truthful probability.
If the transcript of ancient history, by modern histori-
ans, is not generally more reliable than it is on this
subject, we are certainly living in a dark age.

The great object which the emperors of Pagan
Rome seemed to have had in view was, either so to crush
and disable the church, that it should never afterwards
arise to perplex future sovereigns, or to gratify the ty-
ranny of some court favorite. These persecutions,
which perpetually harassed the fears of the Christians,
and kept them in uncertainty (nearly as painful as
persecution itself), drove manj^ of them to seek that
safety in voluntary exile, among illiterate and barba-
rous nations, which could not be enjoyed, within the
jurisdiction of the polished and magnificent capital of the
world. These repeated attempts at persecution opened
the way for the overthrow of the Pagan power.

The persecutions of the emperors were, in some,
the result of long-meditated state polic}^ — to rid the
country of a body of men which were regarded as the
movers of sedition, and, of consequence, were by them
looked upon in the light of political rather than reli-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC liEVELATION. 295

gious offenders. Sucli were the persecutions of Trajan,
Adrian, the Antonines, and Severus, A. i). 100-174—
200; but in others, persecution originated in a bloody
and ferocious cruelty which seems to have delighted in
mischief, for the gratification of a wanton propensity
to torment the defenceless victims of a despotic
and arbitrary will. Such Avere the cruelties of Xero
and Commodus, *A. D. 60-190. Nor was this unwar-
rantable exercise of the imperial prerogative always
confined to the societies of Christians. The violent
political straggles which at that period so often attend-
ed the succession of the imperial power, and which fre-
quently involved in sanguinary, and, more than once,
in desperate combat, the legions of the empire, were as
often followed with the execution of the opposers or
enemies of the successful aspirant as with the proscrip-
tion of the Christian churches {see Tytler^ vol. 3 : ch. 4).
These massacres, in which thejpest blood of the nation
was spilled, brutalized the successful competitors, un-
settled the minds of the people, weakened the empire,
corrupted the legions, and dispersed their forces to the
standard of their respective leaders, who, in turn, as-
pired to the imperial command. In these struggles
Christians were more or less involved, as they were
swayed by interest or fear ; and they were found in
various offices and command, both civil and military,
from the days of John the Baptist to the time of which
I am speaking, and were subjected to all the inconveni-
ences and enjoyed all the advantages which resulted
to the parties they had espoused. Kor is it, in all
cases, easy to decide whether individuals and cities
suffered for religious or political faults.

Nor was it by outward and open persecution alone
that the church suffered. The Christian religion was
at first received by many from a conviction of its truth,
based on external evidence, without a due examination
of its doctrines and requirements (Acts 8 : 18). The
power of working miracles and the gift of tongues con-

294 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION,

vinced manj^, and led tliem to acknowledge its divine
authority, who retained the prejudices of their early
education and the principles of the prevailing philoso-
phy which they had before imbibed. These prejudices
they incorporated or intermixed with the truths of
Christianity, and thus forming new systems from the
principles of both, differing from the originals, although
retaining some resemblance to each, they divided the
churches into parties, and fomented schisms and dis-
putes, which blinded, perplexed, and bewildered their
followers, and perverted the simplicity of the Gospel
into a net of subtleties and mystery.

Others vainly endeavored to reconcile together the
opinions of the different schools of pagan philosophy,
and accommodate these to the doctrines of Christ.
B}^ introducing subtle and obscure metaphysics, they
removed the plain and simple truth beyond the com-
prehension of the massif mankind; and hence, at that
early period, sprung up those inveterate and endless
controversies between faith and reason, religion and
philosophy, doctrine and practice, which have continued
to this day. Here we see the germ of those corruptions
of the doctrines of the religion of Jesus, which
distract and divide the churches in the present age,
and which may be referred to under the fourth trum-
pet (ch. 8 : 12).

Having failed to destroy the church by open perse-
secution and sanguinary opposition, or by the more in-
sidious measure of corrupting its doctrines, a third
attack was made, which was directed against its organ-
ization.

A. D. 250. About the middle of the third century,
the churches of Western Asia began to unite into ge-
neral associations, all the churches of a province form-
ing one body, and agreeing to be governed by general
rules of discipline, which were framed by a general
council of deputies or delegates selected from each par-
ticular church. These assemblieSj afterwards, among

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 295

the Greeks, received the name of "synods.'' The
churches of Europe soon followed their example. But
among the Latins these general meetings were termed
" councils," Lat. concilia. The rules of discipline there
enacted Avere called "canons." At these meetings it
was necessary, for the maintenance of order, to select
some person eminent for authority or abilit}^, or the
favorite of a particular partj^, to preside. As these be-
gan to be selected from among the larger churches, it
was soon claimed by such churches as a right; and
hence arose the metropolitan or governing church of
particular districts or provinces. Their elders were
styled patriarchs, who soon claimed, and were held to
be a superior order in the church. A subordination
soon took place among these, and before the reign of
the Emperor Heraclius, a, d. 603, the powers of the
churches of the empire were reduced to four heads,
Constantinople, Antioch, Eome, and Alexandria. —
These were subsequently reduced to two, Eome and
Constantinople, which, on the accession of Phocas to
the throne of the Eastern empire, was absorbed by the
bishop of Rome, who was thenceforward called " uni-
versal bishop" of Christendom, and "head of all the
churches," which, by adding temporal power to spirit-
ual, he has continued to maintain for more than twelve
centuries. Under the authority, and dependent upon
the overshadowing power of the "universal bishop,"
and accountable to him, there has been added to " the
church" a vast number of orders and grades of officers,
as cardinals, priests, bishops, archbishops, abbots, cu-
rates, deans, clerks, committees, agents, synods, coun-
cils, friars, nuns, and a host of others both males and
females, ordinate and subordinate ; and many of these
are continued and zealously maintained in those frag-
ments of "the church" which have latterly supplanted,
to so great an extent, tlic dominions of the pontiff of
the Roman see. These departures from the ancient
simplicity of the form and organization of the primitive

296 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REYELATION,

cliiirclies^ have given rise^ in modern times^ to great
controversies, which in some cases have been waged
with zeal, acrimon}^, and bloodshed. At present the
dispute presents four aspects — 1st. Those who main-
tain that it was the intention of Christ that all the
churches should form one body, which was to be gov-
erned by St. Peter and his successors.

2d. Those who deny the evidence of any divine
institution of a supreme perpetual head, but refer to
the Apostles the nomination of bishops or ministers
presiding over a certain district, whom the civil au-
thority and the regulation of good policy afterwards
subjected to a metropolitan, a patriarch or archbishop.

3d. Those who maintain that it was the intention
of Christ that all ministers and teachers of the Gospel
should be upon a level of perfect equality, and receive^
as a body, the care of the churches.

4th. Those who maintain that neither Christ nor
his Apostles have laid down any precise or certain
system of church government, but have left all Chris-
tian associations to regulate the government of their
churches in the manner which is best adapted to the
spirit of their political constitutions, and to the ever-
varying state of mankind in different stages or periods
of society.

In these three ways the dragon persecuted the
woman that brought forth the man-child, as we have
seen — First, by attempting to crush the whole body ;
second, by corrupting and mystifying her doctrines
and practice; and third, by changing the form of her
government and organization. When the "sixth" head
of the dragon, the pagan Eoman empire, fell, and two
othere came up in the place of it, which, for the time
being, formed the seventh head, whose seat was located
at Constantinople, these two became the wings, or
side bodies of the eagle, upon which the woman was
at length carried into the wilderness; but previous to
this we are to contemplate the seventh head of the
dragon, in the form of a serpen t^ casting forth waters,

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 297

as of a river, that the woman might be carried away by
the stream. In this method of attack upon the church
of Jesus, the object was to prevail upon his followers
to attach themselves, as partisans, to the interests of
one of the rival chiefs, who, on the death of Constan-
tius, after the resignation of Dioclesian and Maximian,
aspired to the prize of the Eoman empire. These chiefs
were Galerius, Sever us, Maxentius (son of Maximian),
and Constantine. Severus first fell in battle, Galerius
was carried off by a mortal disease, Maxentius and
Constantine remained.

The Christians at this time were extremely nume-
rous both at Kome and in the provinces. A. D. 295-
800, Constantine, being proclaimed Caesar in Gaul, sud-
denly espoused their cause, being converted, as was
pretended, by a miraculous vision (the medium through
which statesmen frequently calculate the chances of
future advancement), and drew them in a strong body
to his standard. The first Eoman emperor who em-
braced the Christian faith was Philip, about fifty years
before, A. D. 248-9. Constantine did not at first openly
profess himself of the Christian faith, only lent his influ-
ence and power to protect those who became his political
or military partisans ; and his whole religious conduct
appears more like the art of a wily politician than a
sincere following of Jesus Christ. While Constantine
was thus drawing the Christian forces to his support, he
had the address, at the same time, to preserve his au-
thority and influence over his pagan adherents. Max-
entius, on the other hand, from hatred to his rival,
exerted himself to secure the attachment of the pagans,
and so decide the controversy of politics and war on
religious grounds. Hitherto the contest had worn a
political aspect, and as the leaders were pagans, while
the Christians had nothing to hope from the success of
either party, they were, as a body, indifferent. But by
infusing a new element into the causes of dispute, Max-
entius supposed he could unite all the pagans on his
13*

298 OUTLINES OF FKOPHETIC REVELATION.

part, and decide bj a religious struggle the fate of tlie
empire, which, from the obscurity of the Christians^
and his consequent ignorance of their numbers, he
judged would terminate in his favor. While the leaders
themselves remained pagans, and held the command of
the legions and praetorian bands, the pagan cause ap-
peared, indeed, invincible ; but the result of party con-
tests could never be foreseen. But the moment the
Christians threw the weight of their injfluence in favor of
Constantine, a cloud spread over the prospects of Max-
en tins, and his success appeared dou.btful. The very fact
of the uncertainty of the event inspired the rising part}-
with confidence and enthusiasm, whilst it paralyzed the
sinking interest with dread and dismay. Constantino
hastened to take advantage of this state of suspense,
while the ardor of his soldiers and the fears of the
enemy promised him success. A battle soon ensued.
In the first engagement, as Constanfine had foreseen,
Maxentius was defeated and slain, leaving himself sole
master of the Roman empire. This event was hailed
with the greatest joy by the Christians, who, after
struggling with every opposition which ignorance, cre-
dulity and persecution could bring against them, were
suddenly exalted to the imperial throne. One of the
first steps of the administration of Constantine, on ob-
taining power, was to issue (a. d. 313) the edict of
Milan (see fifth trumpet), by which he granted to the
Christians the public exercise of their rehgion, but
assumed to himself the pagan title of Pontifex Maxi-
mus^ or Highest Pontiff, or chief priest of the pagan
worship. But the daily increase of proselytes to the
Christian faith soon determined the mind of the empe-
ror, and he made some appropriations towards building
houses for Christian worship. His example rapidly
increased the number of professed Christians, and Con-
stantine began openly to defend their principles. A. D.
821, eight years after the edict of Milan, Constantine
published an edict, by which he granted to all his sub-
jects the free and universal permission of bequeathing

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 299

their fortunes to tlie " holy Catholic church," which
now received the preference of the emperor ; and the
Christian religion was thenceforward established by
the public laws of the Roman empire. By these laws,
men were legislated into "the church," and with them
every thing that was splendid in magnificence and c'or-
rupt in ambition, and the Gospel of Jesus was in dan-
ger of being submerged and entirely carried away by
the torrent of political favors. The profuse honors
heaped upon the illustrious living heroes of the church
Avere also shared by the venerated dead. Tombs and
monuments were erected in honor of the martyrs, and
places of public resort and houses of worship were
consecrated to the relics and ashes of the saints. The
bones of St. Peter and St. Paul, or what were believed
to be such, were removed from their graves, two hun-
dred years after their death, and deposited in magnifi-
cent shrines at Rome.

Constantinople received from her provinces the
supposed bodies of St. Andrew, St. Luke and St. Tim-
othy, after these had been dead three hundred years.
Portions of these relics were lent out to other cities
and their churches, where the priests had not the dex-
terity to discover or purchase for themselves.

Thus promoted and aggrandized, the doctrines of
the church were vitiated. Her converts became proud
and rich, and schemes of amusement and wealth rather
than piety drew off the attention of the multitude.
Pleasure, politics, war, commerce and ambition filled
the minds of these new religious adventurers, and the
destruction of the simplicity and purity of the church
seemed on the eve of being eftected, and the religion
of Jesus become extinct. At this moment, the defec-
tion of Arius filled the doctors of ' the church' with
alarm for the safety of their particular tenets (see fifth
trumpet ch. 9 : 1-11), and added a new trial to the
Christian faith, A. d. 318.

A. D. 325. The famous council of Nice, in By-
thinia, was assembled, consisting of three hundred fa

300 OUTLINES OF FKOPHETtC REVELATION.

thers and patriarchs, who condemned Arius, and framed
a religious creed, which was adopted by the emperor,
and made, by law, th^ faith of the churches through-
out the empire, from Persia to England, and from Ger-
many to the Libyan desert.

• At Nice, however, the principal point in debate was
concerning Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, who was
declared, by that Council, to be " truly God, of the
the same substance as the Father." But the opposite
doctrine of Arius, "that the Son of God is totally and
essentially distinct from the Father," gained so upon
the professors of Christianity that Constantine permit-
ted Arius to return from exile ; and on his death, his
son Constantius, on ascending the throne of Constan-
tinople, espoused the Arian cause. The ancient city
of Byzantium, situated near the southern shores of the
Black Sea, on the straits between Europe and Asia,
had been selected, in the latter years of Constantine, as
the seat of his court, and the name changed to Con-
stantinople, which, at his death, became the capital of
the eastern half of the Roman empire, which was now
divided among his sons ; in the western half of which
Constans, from his capital at Rome, where the Catho-
lics held the pre-eminence, as zealously defended the Ni-
cene Creed. Neither Synods nor Councils could longer
decide the controversy, and an appeal to arms and to
the god of war was the last resort of the contending
brothers. Constans fell in battle, and (a. d. 849) Con-
stantius succeeded to the Roman dominions of Asia,
Africa, and Europe. But the people of Constantinople
and Rome were descended from different origins, spoke
different languages, and, although the religions of both
were afterwards changed and modified, and although
both were at times subjected to the government of
the same monarch, yet, henceforth, these two cities
became the rival heads of two distinct kingdoms — the
two wings of the great eagle of the Roman empire.
Thus, Christians who had but just emerged from the
pagan yoke were left to make war upon each other, in

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 801

which brother shed the blood of brother ; but " they
who have not the spirit of Christ are none of his."
(Rom. 8 : 9). During the contentions of the two em-
pires, the followers of Jesus were spared from persecu-
tion, and the religious factions, in their strife for sove-
reignty, spent their forces against each other. But
another trial awaited them in the irruptions of the
Goths, Huns, Yandals, Alani, Lombards, and the
tribes of Germany (see ch. 9 : 1-11). Many of these
nations, on their start, were barbarians and idolaters ;
in war, bloody, implacable and destructive ; but in
peace, hospitable and kind, even to strangers, and,
when of the same nation and under the same sovereign,
entertained for each other the most friendly feelings of
regard. In their progress south, they subdued nations
more refined than themselves, and embraced the reli-
gions and customs they conquered, and in many re-
spects, in the course of the succeeding generation,
became a cultivated and enlightened people.

As the nations of the world were thus flowing like
rivers upon the church, another attack was made upon
the Christian religion by a perversion of the positive
rites and practical ceremonies of the gospel. Baptism,
an ordinance enjoined and submitted to only on a pro-
fession of faith in Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, and
in which the believer was buried into the likeness of
his death (Rom. 6 : 4-5), and raised in the likeness of
his resurrection, was made a political engine of won-
derful and mysterious efficacy, in the salvation of un-
compelled to submit ; and the consecrated bread of the
believers, unto which both children and adults were
Eucharist, enjoined as a memorial of the death of Christ
(1 Cor. 11 : 26), was broken to the sick and the dying
to smooth the path to the tomb, and insure a passport
to eternal rest.

But in spite of all these things, many adhered to
the truth ; and, A. D. 606, the dragon with his eighth
kingdom, cemented by the papacy (ch. 13 and ch. 17),
"went to make war with the remnant of her seed

302 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATI02T.

which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ/' which is more fully illus-
trated in succeeding chapters.

On a review of this history, as compared with the
emblems of the text, we are struck with the singular
precision of the prophecy, and the unerring choice of
symbols which foreshadow the history. The times of
these occurrences were exceeding prolific, both in ex-
periments and historians, in fables and facts. A score
of fathers, both of friends and foes of every conceivable
degree of celebrity, have exhibited to the scrutiny of
succeeding age^ both their own, their neighbors', and
their country's vices, by which we are admonished to
shun their examples.

From the time the dragon was cast down to the earth
(v. 12), A. D. 100, to the end of his persecution of the
woman, A. D. 800, was about two centuries.

Then he took her under his protection, thinking to
destroy her with the allurements of gain and the pride
of success ; but the division of the empire, and the re-
ligious discussions consequent upon the defections in
the church, which perpetually led to the study of the
Holy Scriptures, and a recurrence to first principles,
served to keep alive, in the hearts of many, the pure
faith of Jesus for three centuries more, when, in the
beginning of the seventh century [a. d. 606-12], a new
scheme was set on foot by the dragon, who, despairing
of the destruction of the whole body of the church, or
a corruption of her principles, now sought the gratifi-
cation of his petty malice, through the agency of the
Papists, in individual tortures, threats, and deaths, for a
time, times, and half a time, or 1260 years, to terminate
about A. D. 1866-80, when other scenes are to be in-
troduced, and preparations made for the conversion of
the nations (ch. 11: 15).

We now return to sketch the appearance of the
beast, in and by whom the dragon has wrought the
persecutions against the church and those who have the
Bible, which is the " testimony of Jesus" (Rev. 19: 10).

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

303

CHAPTER XIII.

1. John stands upon the sand of the Sea, and sees a Beast

RISE UP out of the SeA HAVING SEVEN HeADS AND TEN HORNS.

— 3. One Head is wounded and healed. — 6. The Beast
Blasphemes. — 7. Makes War upon the Saints. — 10, Js

HLMSELF killed WITH THE SwORD OR LED INTO CaPTIVITY. 11.

Another Beast, an image of the first, comes up out of the
Earth.

Verse 1. And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a
beast rise up out' of the sea, liavmg seven heads and ten horns, and
upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blas-
phemy.

This beast makes sucli a figure in the world, is of
a character so unique and diverse from all that
has been described in the preceding chapters of this
book (ch. 12 : 3), that I shall first compare its delinea-
tion in several portions of Scripture, and then its his-
torical outlines with the emblems of the text.

Ch. 12: 3.

And there appear-
ed another wonder
in heaven ; and be-
hold, a great red dra-
gon, having seven
heads and ten horns,
and seven crowns
upon his heads.

Dan. 7: 6. The
third beast had four
wings and four heads.

Ch. 13: v. 1,
And I stood upon
the sand of the sea,
and saw a beast rise
up out of the sea, hav-
ing seven heads and
ten horns, and upon
his horns ten crowns,
and upon his heads
the name of blas-
phemy.

Ch. 17: v. 8.

The beast that thou
sawest was and is not,
and shall ascend out
of the bottomless pit,
and go into perdition.

Dan. 7 : 2, 3. — Four
winds of the heaven
strove upon the great
sea, and four great
beasts came up from
the sea, diverse one
from another.

Ch. 17 : 15. The waters which thou sawest, where the
whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations,
and tongues.

Ch. 17 : 9. The seven heads are seven mountains,

1 Dan. 7 : 7 , ch. 12 : 9 and 17 : 3-9-12.

304 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

on which the woman sitteth [mountain, from Gr. opo^
a mountain, or perhaps a hill], ch. 12 : 1-12.

Ch. 17 : 10. And there are seven kings [there are, Gr.
eicTLv, these are, that is, the heads, the mountains, and
the kings are the symbols of the same things] : five are
fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come ; and
when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

Ch. 17 : 12. The ten horns which thou sawest are
ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet,
but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. [The
horns and the kings of this verse are emblems of things
similar to those represented by the heads and moun-
tains of ch. 13 : 1, and 17 : 10, but they are not the
same identical things.]

It will be noticed that the dragon of ch. 12 : 3 has
seven crowns upon his head, but the beast from the
sea has ten crowns upon his horns ; but we likewise
see by ch. 13 : 2, that the dragon is merged in and be-
comes identified with the beast, during the continu-
ance of his power, or rather, that during the lifetime
of the beast from the sea, the dragon confers upon him
his work of persecution, and himself retires from ac-
tivity, that is, during the existence of this organized
form of religious opposition, the idolatrous nations of
the earth are comparatively inactive.

Ch. 13: 2. The beast which I Dan. 2 : 41,42. The image which
saw was like unto a leopard, and Daniel saw had feet and toes, but
his feet were as the feet of a bear, does not say how many toes. The
Dan. 7 : 5. His feet resembled feet and toes were of the same
the Persian kingdom : he stood material, iron mixed with clay,
upon four clumsy empires, his Dan. 7 : 6. The Macedonian king-
four chief supporters during dom : the " king of Grecia was
his existence, which possessed like a leopard" (Dan. 8 : 21). —
the savage ferocity of a bear, and Note — The general appearance
" arose to devour much flesh.'' of this beast from the sea was like

the Macedonian or ancient Greek
empire, that is, several warlike
independent states united under
one head, professing a religious
mixture of all idolatries, and con-
quers partly by force, partly by
stratagem.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. ,-*05

These four kingdoms or empires were — 1st, Italy,
A. D. 600.

2d, France, A. D. 800.

8d, Spain and German empire, A. D. 1100, 1500.

4th, Austria, A. D. 1700. These, separately or
unitedly, have been the chief support of the papacy to
the present time (see page 281).

and liis mouth Mas as the mouth Pan. 2: 32, and 7 : 4. The lion

of a lion ; and the dragon gave him was the symbol of Babjdonia.

his power, and his seat, and great In eh. 12 : 3 we have seen that

authority — that is, he was to be- the great red dragon, as he existed

come the head and seat of idol- at the birth of Jesus Christ, was

atry and infidelity, and the most Pagan Rome. The red horse of

activeopposerofthe true religion, eh. 6 : 3, 4 was Assyria ruled by

during his existence, of any other the court of Nineveh. (See also

nation in the world, Nahum 3 : 4.;

The mouthpiece and lawgiver of this beast from the
sea resembled Babylon in haughtiness, tyranny, cru-
elty, bigotry, and injustice.

Ch. 17: 3. I saw a woman sit Ch. 17: 18. The woman is that
upon the scarlet-colored beast. great city which reigneth over the

kings of the earth (see ch. 12 : 1).

Note 1. The woman is not the beast, but sitteth
upon it.

Note 2. The kings of the earth are usually allowed
to be the highest earthly power; but here is a power
above the kings, and sitteth upon them and reigneth
over them.

Note 3. This is a power above many political na-
tions, and rules over the political powers, but is located
in a single city (see ch. 11 : 8, and closing reflections
on 6th trumpet, 9th).

Note 4. This city which ruled kingdoms is sym-
bolized as a prostitute and a harlot. As a single pros-
titute ruling a number of kings.

806 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Ch. 17 : 4. The woman was ar- The woman is like the beast, i

rayed in purple and scarlet color, politico-religious power, but a

and decked with gold and precious prostitute, or apostate. Ch. 17:

stones, and pearls, having a gold- 3-5. The beast was full of the

en cup in her hand, full of abomi- names of blasphemy ; and upon

nations and filthiness of her for- the forehead of the woman was

nications. Ch. 13 : 1. Upon the written Mystery, Babylon the

heads of the beast were the names Great, the mother of harlots and

of blasphemy. abominations of the earth.

Note 1. What things are blasphemy in Scripture ?
(See ch. 13 : 8.)

Note 2. What things are accounted abominations ?
Abominations are things hateful. 1st. Sin and various
gross practices are called abominations 2d. Wearing
the dress of the opposite sex, Deut. 22: 5. Was this
the practice in this city that ruled the kings of the
earth ? Was it inculcated in her religion ? To what
extent has it been followed? 3d. Lying, Prov. 12 : 22.
4th. False weights, Isa. 66 : 3. 5th. Idols, Deut. 7 : 26.
6th. Pride and proud persons, Prov. 16 : 5. 7th. The
ways, thoughts, kc. of the wicked, Prov. 15 : 8, 9, 26.
8th. Hypocrisy,''or one that prays to God and disre-
gards his law, Prov. 28: 9. 9th. Idolatrous armies.
The idolatrous sovereignty and armies of Eome — Dan.
12 : 11 ; Matt. 24: 15 — when employed to subvert the
religion and liberties of a nation [Judea] . These prac-
tices are all enjoined, encouraged, or excused by this
mistress of the nations.

Note 3. What things are accounted fornication in
Scripture ? Fornication is of four kinds : 1st, whore-
dom, or the act of incontinency between single persons,
for if either of the parties are married it is adultery, 1
Cor. 7:2. It is put, 2dly, for adultery itself, Matt. 5 :
32 ; 3dly, it is used to rejDresent idolatry, 2 Ch. 21 :
11, &c. &c. ; and 4thly, in this place, and in ch. 19: 2,
it seems to represent a compound of idolatry and
heresy, or apostacy, all of which may in general be un-
derstood by the term infidelity.

Oh the forefront of the mitre or bonnet of the high

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 307

priest, at the temple of Jerusalem, was written "Holi-
ness to the Lord ;" but on the mitre or forehead of this
woman was written "The mother of harlots," "The
mother of abominations. "

Ch. 11 : 7. The beast that arose Ch. 13: 7. And it was given

out of the bottomless pit made unto him (the beast from the sea)

war with the witnesses, and slew to make war with the saints, and

them. to overcome them.

Ch. 17: 17. The dragon was Ch. 17: 6. And I saw the wo-

wroth with the woman, and went man (frunken with the blood of

to make war with the remnant of saints and with the blood of the

her seed, which keep the com- martyrs of Jesus,

mandments of God and have the Notk. Those who have the

testimony of Jesus. Scriptures have the " testimony of

Jesus" (ch. 19 : 10).

Ch. 13 : 2 : The dragon gave to Ch. 17 : 13. The ten horns gave
the beast his power, his seat, and the beast their strength,
great authority.

IS'OTE. This power is given to the beast, not to the
woman that rideth upon him.

Ch. 17 : 8. The beast was and is not, and shall as-
cend out of the " bottomless pit," where Arianism came
from (ch. 9 : 1-12 k ch. 11 : 7).

Ch. 17 : 9, 10. The seven heads Dan. 7 : 17. Those great beasts

are seven mountains. And there are four kings which shall arise

are seven kings: five are tallen, out of the earth,

and one is. and the other is not Dan. 7 : 23. The fourth beast

yet come ; and when he cometh shall be the fourth kingdom,
he must continue a short space.

We may conclude that kingdom is here meant
where the words "king" and "beast" are used. If,
therefore, we use the word king in this place as sy-
nonymous with kingdom, will it not follow, as a neces-
sar}^ and legitimate result, that the "king never dies,"
while the kingdom remains unsubdued? — that is, that
the authority and power of the kingdom continues, al-
though the magistrate is changed or dies? The em-
pire, then, continues, and is the same, until it is sub-

808 ■ OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION.

verted or its power transferred to another kingdom.
A mere change of the name, or a civil revolution, by
which the power of a nation changes hands, cannot be
held to terminate a kinQjdom. Because the ri«;hts and
conquests of a kingdom cease in its subversion, where
the nature of the government is altered, or the seat of
power or the residence of the magistrate is transferred
from one city to another, either or all of them does not
destroy the kingdom. Nor does a change in the form
of government, from a republic to a monarchy, or from
a monarchy to any other form, destroy the identity of
the kingdom, nor can it be held to terminate its exist-
ence ; for, if it would, then an impulsive or retrograde
movement of parties, or a change of ministry, or a
change of policy, might be an excuse for a violation or
annulling of treaties, which, like all other contracts,
expire with the death of parties, unless they survive
in the persons of their assigns. As for example, if, as
in the Hebrew nation, the government is changed from
a republic to a kingdom, as in the time of Abiraelech,
in the time of Samuel and Saul, it does not follow that
this would operate to terminate the Hebrew govern-
ment ; nor the revolution, which transferred the pow-
er from Saul, of the family of Benjamin, to David, of
the tribe of judah ; nor, again, did the revolt of Jero-
boam, of the tribe of Ephraim, although by it the
power of the nation was divided between Ephraim and
Judah. In these examples we see the form and nature
of a government changed and afterwards transferred to
another tribe, and then the kingdom divided, and all
this without terminating it. The change called the Re-
volution, in the government of England, A. D. 1660,
from Episcopal to Protestant rule, and in France, a. D.
1800, from a monarchy to a republic, and again from
a republic to a monarchy, did not terminate the king-
dom, as such, technically speaking ; it was still the gov-
ernment of France, as the former was of England, nor
did the " king," i. e. the power of the kingdom, termi-

OtJTLlNES OF PROPHETIC REVELATIOK. 309

nate. The same is true of ancient Rome. The va-
rious internal or external changes in her police, from
B. c. 75 to A. D. 75, a period of 150 years, did not ter-
minate the empire. Nor was it terminated by any
changes which took place from the reign of Eomulas,
Tarquin, or Numa, to the da3^s of the tribunes or em-
perors, until the reign of Constantine. But he divided
the power and glory of the empire between Rome and
Constantinople, which his successors eventually trans-
ferred to the Byzantine court ; and, not by changing
the form of government and religion, but by establish-
ing a new government and religion with different man-
ners and language, Constantinople became the seat of
a new. empire. Then pagan Rome was overthrown,
the pagan empire terminated, and the "kingdom" of
pagan Rome came into the reckoning of the nations, as a
thing that had been, and was now past. Then the
eastern empire came up, her successor, which was the
seventh (Rome being counted the sixth), five having
fallen before. Constantinople, the seat of the Eastern
Roman or Greek empire, and the seventh head of the
beast, became the parent of the eighth in a manner
that no previous government was ever the parent of
its successor. When Rome was overthrown and deso-
late, her population and laws and religion were restored
by Justinian, of the eastern empire (ch. 9:1,1 1), A. D.
540 ; and when the contest for spiritual supremacy
was narrowed down to a dispute between the rival
prelates of Constantinople and Rome, Phocas, emperor
of the East, voluntarily preferred the honor of the
bishop of a foreign city, to the equal pretensions of
his own bishop, and relinquished the claims of supre-
macy to the patriarch of Rome. So that the eighth
was of the seventh as a child is of its parent ; yet the
eighth partook of the nature of tlie whole seven, which
had existed before it, and showed some marks of re-
semblance to them all, and at the same time was so
different from each [of all the rest] as to be clearly dis-

\

810 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

tinguishable from all. To ascertain, therefore, what
were the seven heads, we are to reckon pagan Rome
as one of them, and then reckon up five that had ex-
isted previously, and one that succeeded between the
fall of that city and the rise of the harlot— the city
that now reigneth over the kings of the earth. Those
empires which successively existed as persecutors or
competitors of the true religion, prior to the Roman
empire, were the Syro-Median, the Macedonian, the
Persian, Chaldean and Assyrian. Those which have
existed since are Constantinople, or the eastern Roman
empire, and the several nations that have supported
the pretensions of modern Rome, which, in latter times,
have been the southern and western kingdoms of Eu-
rope, and their provinces on the American continent
(see note, page 314). If any should think the nations
professing the Greek, Armenian, Pagan or Mahometan
worship ought to be reckoned either as opposers or
competitors of the gospel, it may be replied that there
is no credible history which asserts the fact that the
gospel, or any of its professors, have, for centuries prior
to the recent action of the churches, been wdthin the
precincts of their legal power ; and the modern move-
ments of the churches among them assume more the
hostile encroachments of conquering invaders than the
down- trodden and unsupported appeals of defenceless
suppliants.

Ch. 13:4. — They worshipped the dragon which gave power
unto the beast, and they worshipped the beast.

They worshipped the dragon, through their idola-
trous devices, and the beast by saying " Who is like
him ?" " Who is able to make war with him ?"

Ch. 13 : 1. A beast with seven Ch. 17 : 12. The ten horns which
heads and ten horns. thou sawest are ten kings which

have received no kingdom as yet,
but receive power one hour with
the beast.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

311

Note. — It is not said that these horns grew npon
the heads, although they were a part of the beast.
These horns were kings or kingdoms which had re-
ceived no dominion at the time the revelation was
penned, so that they were no part of any preceding
governments, and we may infer they were no part of
any of the seven heads, if not of the first six.

Ch. 13:1. Upon his horns ten Note. — These were all to be
crowns. monarchies (ch. 4:4; 6:2; 12 :

4; &c.)

Ch. 17 : 16. These shall hate
the whore and make her desolate.

Ch. 17 : 14. These shall make
war with the Lamb, but he shall
overcome them.

Ch. 17 : 13. These have one
mind, and shall £;ive their power
and strength unto the beast.

These shall give their strength to the beast, but
shall hate the whore. So that the whore and the beast
are two distinct and assailable things.

Dan. 7 : 6.
four heads.

The third beast had

Dan. 8 : 8. Therefore the he-
goat waxed great, and when he
was strong the great horn was
broken, which was between his
eyes, and for it came up four no-
table ones, towards the four winds
of heaven. And out of one of
them (i. e., one of the four horns)
came up a little horn which w-axed
exceeding great, * * * and by him
the daily sacrifice (v. 13) was ta-
ken away, * * * two thousand
three hundred days.

Note. — If two thousand three
hundred days are to be reckoned
of prophetic time, then the pro-
phecy stands at 2300 years for its
fulfilment ; but if literal, then, six
years, four months, anid twenty
days. But the temple was cleansed

Dan. 7:7. A fourth beast hav-
ing ten horns.

Dan. 2 : 4. The fourth kingdom
shall be strong as iron.

Dan. 7 : 8. There came up
among the horns (of the fourth
kingdom) a little horn (Dan. 7 :
20), whose look was more stout
than his fellows. Before this
eleventh horn, which came up
[while the ten were standing?],
three of the ten were subdued.

Note.— When three of the ten
were fallen, seven of them re-
mained : and the little horn him-
self made eight. So that eight
remained when he had come up.

Dan. 7 : 21. I beheld, and the
same horn made war with the
saints, and prevailed against them
(v. 25) ; and they shall be given
into his hand — a time, times, and
half a time, i. e., 1260 years. (See
chap. 12 : 14.)

812 OUTLl>rES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

two or three j'ears from its pollu- Inferkncks. — The little horn
tion by Aniiochus Epiphanes, al- out of the four horns of the third
though the sanctuary and altar beast does not seem to be the
were not. (Compare 1 Mac. 1: same as the little hoi-n which came
20-29 with 2 : 52. See also 2 Mac. up among the ten horns of the
]0 : 2-6; also Josephus' Jewish fourth beast. The little horn of the
Wars, b. I.e. 1.) third beast took away the daily

sacrifice. The little horn of the
fourth made war upon the saints.

Dan. 7:8. A mouth speaking Rev. 13: 2. His mouth as the

grc^at things. mouth of a lion.

Dan. 7 : 20. A mouth speaking Rev. 13:5. A mouth speaking

very great things. great things and blasphemies.

Note. — It is worthy of especial remark that Daniel
saw the Macedonian kingdom, of which Alexander was
the last sovereign, with one horn, or the first dynasty,
as its head, which, when broken, gave place to four
others ; and that the five constituted together only one
beast, although they were spread from the West to the
East, and from the South to the North. The same
beast had also four heads, which were distinct from the
horns ; a little horn also grew out of one of the horns,
which also became great. So that in all, this beast had
six horns, which grew out of four heads. With refe-
rence to this it may safely be said that the Scripture,
in that place, represents a horn, either as the whole
race of one dynasty, or the capital city from which, for
the time being, they issue their commands and direct
their enterprises. So the ten horns of Daniel's fourth
beast (Dan. 7 : 7), together with the head, made but
one beast. If the little horn of Daniel's fourth beast
could be identified with the harlot of the Revelations,
the two prophecies would serve to illustrate each other.
But we must not force a conclusion, because things
that are similar, or even things that are alike, are not
always the same things. So it follows that no particu-
lar government, as such, shall of itself alone be called
a beast, because several of them may be included in
one. But particular systems of infidelity, that is, par-
ticular systems of religion which are independent of

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 813

inspiration, or in opposition to God, are beasts, and the
governments which support them constitute their heads
or horns. The precise systems of Kome, Macedon,
Persia or Babylon, illustrated by comparing their reli-
gion and police, would be a valuable w^ork. Of the
four beasts of Daniel, Sabianism composed the first, and
was professed by Egypt, Assyria, and Chaldea. The
second was Magianism, professed by the Medes and
Persians ; the third was the philosophy of Greece, pro-
fessed by the Grecian states, Macedon, and their con-
quests. The fourth was Eoman idolatry.

I have before shown (chap. 12 : 1-12) that the seven
heads are seven consecutive empires which have arisen
in opposition to Jehovah, and are Assyria, Chaldea,
Medo-Persia, Macedon, Sj-ro-Media., pagan Eome, the
Byzantine empire, or eastern Pome. And the nations
which support the papal Roman form, are the body of
the beast from the sea.

And the ten horus (ch, 5 : 6) of this beast seem to
be the successors of the Eastern and Western empire,
which were,

1st. The Burgundians, in Gaul.

2d. The Suevi, in Spain.

8d. The Ostrogoths, in Pomerania.

4th & oth. The various tribes who raised Odoacer
to the throne of Italy, viz., the Scurri, Alani, Goths,
&c. All these were in what was called the Western
empire. The Vandals took possession of Africa.
These fell before the troops of the Eastern empire,
from which these provinces were wrested by the Sara-
cens, on the north coast of whose empire France has
latterly gained some footing.

The nations which established themselves in the
Eastern empire were,

1st. The Goepid^e, in Illyria and Macedonia.

2d. The Rugii, in Moesia and Thrace.

3d. The Turcilingi and Ostrogoths, in Dacia and
Pannonia to Noricum.
14

814 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

4tli. The HuDS, after the death of Attila, formed
settlements about the mouths of the Danube and along
the western shores of the Euxine Sea, most of whom
have since submitted to the disciples of Othman, while
Asia was reserved to be more especially the theatre of
the Euphratian angels and the followers of the prophet
of Yemen.

These tribes and kingdoms succeeded to the power
of the Eoman empire,

Note.' — If, as some contend, these ten powers were
the ten horns, or if their successors were the represen-
tatives of the ten, and if the papacy is the little horn
that came up among them, by which the three were
cast down (Dan. 7 : 8) ; then, if the three that were
cast down were from the western five, only two of the
western five afterwards remained. If the five eastern
were conquered by the Turks, who have supplanted
them, then the pope, at the head of the papacy, being
the little horn, it follows that since A. D. 1672,
when the Turks finished their conquests, there have
been but two of the ten remaining. If the papacy be
the harlot of ch. 17, and the governments which she
has controlled be the beast of ch. 18 : 1, then it seems
to follow that the ten horns of ch. 13 and ch. 17 are
successors of the beast, and come ujd instead of him,
and after he falls, and are not of the ten seen by Daniel
unless they are afterwards resuscitated, or survive in
the "two" (ch. 13 : 11) which constitute the image to
the beast after his fall, in the papal form. The ten of
ch. 17, which destroyed the whore, give their power
to the beast when he has no power, or, uniting with
him, strengthen his.

In Europe, the seat of the papacy, the boundaries
of the nations which succeeded the ancient empire
were fluctuating, and one nation frequently encroached
upon another. Most of them, in the course of a few cen-
turies, embraced the name, and we may charitably sup-
pose that individuals among them the truth and spirit,

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 315

of Christianity. In Africa, among the Vandals, the
sentiments of Arius prevailed. Ulphilas, a semi-
Arian, of the creed of Rimini, visited Germany, a. d.
360-400, and translated or ordered a translation of the
Scriptures into the German language, and from that
they were transferred to the Goths. Like most Arians,
Ulphilas held to or subscribed a Catholic creed, while
he propagated, by argument and sword, the views of
Arius, and semi-Arianism became the religion of those
countries.

In Italy, the religious views of the people changed
with, or submitted to, the ever-shifting and unsettled
state of things, until France, a. d. 850, adopted the
Athanasiau confession of faith, which gradually ob-
tained in Italy and Germany, and was adopted at Eome,
A. I). 1014.

From Antioch, Peter Grophius, then bishop, pre-
scribed the Creed Apostolical in his diocese, A. D. 590-
600, which had for more than a century before been
professed by some of the clergy of the eastern empire,
and this gradually spread westward and was incorpo-
rated into the faith of the Dacians, and eventually
adopted by the sects of Europe, whose governments,
following the examples of the empires they had sub-
verted, and probably the examples of their own fore-
fathers, made religion an object of special legislative
care, and regulated the consciences of the people by
law, and prescribed the form and extent of their reli-
gious belief

I am now to compare the historical outlines of this
chapter with the emblems of the text, and for the sake
of perspicuity shall first give the emblems and then
the consecutive history of the papacy to the present
time, the whole condensed as briefly as a connected
and plain statement of facts will admit.

316 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

CHAPTER XIII.

Verse 1. — And I stood upon the sand of the sea,' and saw a
beast* rise out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and
upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blas-
phemy.

Verse 2. — And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and
his feet*^ were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of
a lion : and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat,'' and great
authority.

Verse 3 — And I saw one of his heads^ as it were wounded
to death ; and his deadly wound was healed; and all the world
wondered after the beast.

Emblems of the Text. — Stood iqoon the sand of
the sea. Sand, 1st, as an aggregate body of countless
particles, is the symbol of multitudes. 2d. Sand, as
the shore or barrier of the sea, is the emblem of hope
and safety. Sea (before the throne, ch. 4 : 6), is an em-
blem of nations, &c.

Beasts^ Gr. dijplov (ch. 6 : 8 ; 11 : 17), are, 1st, the
symbols of savage-minded men ; 2d, of politico-reli-
gious nations.

Heads are leaders or governors ; that which went
before or existed prior.

Horns J the symbols of power, strength and glory ;
the emblems of nations and armies.

Crowns (ch. 4 : 4), the insignia of monarchies, &c.

Leopard. The three distinguishing characteristics
of the leopard are agilitv, cruelty, and variety of color
(Hab. 1:8; Isa. 11:6; Jer. 5:6; Hos. 13 : 7 ; Jer. 13 :
23). It is the emblem of craft, wickedness and force,
and was used by Daniel (Dan. 7 : 6) to indicate the
Macedonians.

i Ch. 12 : 3 ; 17 : 3, 9, 12 ; Jer. 5 : 22 ; Dan. 7:2; 7 : 25 ; 2 Thes. 2 : 3.
^ A wild beast.

2 Jer. 5: 22 ; Dan. 7 : 2 ; 2 Thes. 2 : 4 ; eh. 12 : 9 ; 17 : 3.
b Throne.

3 Eze. 30 : 24 ; Luke 2:1; John 12:19; Acts 8:11; 2 Thes. 2:10;
ch. 17 : 8.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 317

Feet (cb. 10 : 1 ; 12 : 1), the symbols of servants, and
perhaps of principles.

Bear. The distinguishing characteristics of the
bear are fierceness, voracit}^, fatness, and strength.
His feet are in appearance lai'ge and clumsy, and armed
with strong claws, which he handles with great activity
and force, either to strike, hug, run, swim or climb.
This emblem was employed by Daniel (Dan. 7 : 5) to
denote the Medo-Persian empire, and symbolizes a
rich, fierce, and avaricious enemy

Mouth (ch. 9 : 17), the emblem of laws, decrees, &c.

Lion (ch. 4: 7), the symbol of majesty and sove-
reignty.

Dragon (ch. 12 : 7), the emblem of deception and
idolatry.

Seat (ch. 2 : 13 ; see throne, ch. 4 : 2), the emblem
of authority, dominion and judgment.

Head loounded (by a sword, v. 14), and was healed,
signifies that it was overcome and conquered in war,
and is subsequently restored to dominion.

All tlie icorkl loondered after the beast. This is ex-
pressed by " worship" in verse 4, and signifies, to be-
friend, to admire, and approve. Here the sweeping
phrase "all the world" signifies only those who hold
and support worldly authority, while God, the dwell-
ers in heaven, and all the saints, are excepted and
exempt from the charge (v. 6-7).

Eemark. — It has been noticed by naturalists that
no beast of pre}^ ever has horns, and [therefore] that
no beast which has horns is ever a beast of prey. This
beast is here represented as having horns, and also as a
beast of prey ; and henc ', existing contrary to the gene-
ral laws of nature, is not a creature or creation of God.
It must be the work of his friends or his foes. It proves
to be an evil beast. His enemy, and a destroyer of his
friends ; and as wickedness proceeded from the wicked
(1 Sam. 24: 13), so this beast, wherever found, may be
known to exist without the approbation of the Lord.

ol8 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Whatever the explanation of the symbols connected
with this beast should, prove it to be, whether a mili-
tary, civil, or rehgious establishment, a social or poli-
tical arrangement, whatever it may be, it is a thing of
wickedness, and it will be wrong to countenance or
uphold it.

Verse 4. — And they worshipped the dr.-igon,' which gave
power unto tlie beast : and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who
is like unto the benst? Who is able to m:ike war with him?

Verse 5. —And there was given unto him a mouth,^ speaking
great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to
continue forty and two months.

Verse 6. — And he opened his mouth in blasphemy^ against
God, to bhispheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that
dwell in heaven

Emblems of tpie Text. — Dragon (see v. 2).

Mouth (see v. 2).

Blasphemies (see v. 8).

Tabernacle is a mansion or residence, and, as the
residence of God, may be heaven. It is an emblem of
the church in its temporal visible form (Amos 9 : 11-
12 ; Acts 15 : 6 ; Heb. 8:5; 9 : 24).

Heaven (ch. 4:2; 8 : 10, &c.), a symbol of the
saints, or true church of God.

Forty and two months. Equal to 1260 years (see
ch. 2 : 10 ; 11 : 2, &c.).

Verse 7. — And it was given unto him^ to make war with the
saints, and to overcome them: and power^ was given him over all
kindreds, and tongues, and tiations.

Verse 8. — And all that dwell upon the earth^ shall worship

1 Deut. 9 : 2 ; Ps. 106 : 37 ; Dan. 11 : 3(5 ; 1 Cor 10 : 20 ; 2 Thea. 2:4;
ch. 18: 18.

•^ Dan. 7 : 8, 11 ; 11 : 36 ; oh. 11 : 2, 9.

^ Job. 3:1; Dan. 7:21; Mut. 12 : 34 ; John 1 : 14 ; Heb. 9 : 11 ; Hcb.
12: 23; ch. 4: 1 ; 11: 12;

1 Dan. 7:21; Luke 4:6; ch. 11 : 7.
* Authoritv.

2 E.x. 32 : 33 ; Dan. 12:1; Phil.. 4 : 2 ; ch. 1 : 5-18 ; 2 : 8 ; 8 : 5-9 ; 17 :
8; 20: 22; 21: 27.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 319

him, whose n:mu's nre not written in the book of life of the Lamb
shrin*^ from the foundation of the world,

Veksf. 9. — If any man have an ear,^ let him hear.

Verse 10. —He that leadeth into captivity,'^ shall go into cap-
tivity : he that killeth with the sword, must be killed with the
sword. Here is the patience and the iaith of the saints.

Emblems of the Text. — Note. Nearly all the
matter in verses 7-10 is explanatory and literal.

Book (ch. 5:1; 10 : 2-11), the emblem of records,
laws and ordinances. The eighth verse might read :
All who dwell upon earth shall worship him, whose
names were not written, from the foundation of the
world, in the book of the life of the slain Lamb.

Blasphemy (see v. 6). Blasphemy consists, 1st. In
denj'ing that which is due or belonging to God, or at-
tributing to him that which is not agreeable to his
nature (2 Kings' 18 : 85 : 19 : 6). 2d. In assuming hi
attributes and prerogatives (Matt. 9 : 3). 3d. To speak
evil of the attributes of God, his revelations or his
works. Hence Jesus held the Jews guilty of blasphe-
my in attributing his works to Beelzebub (Matt. 12 :
31). 4:th. To attribute to God sayings and actions of a
vile character, or ridiculing his perfections, word and
ordinances (2 Sam. 12 : 14 ; Titus 2:5; Kom. 2 : 24).

Sword (see chap. 2: 12), the emblem of conquest,
war, vengeance, &c.

History. — In tracing the following outlines, I shall
first briefly review the history of the Christian reli-
gion, noting the deviations of its professors down to the
formation or rise of the papacy ; thence give a mere
sketch of its historic annals to the present time.

The establishment of the Christian religon, first
begun by John the Baptist, and permanently settled,
explained and enforced by the twelve Apostles to the

'^ i. c. All not written, from the foundation of the world, in the book
of the life of the slain Lamb.

1 Mat. 11 : 15; 13: 9-43; cli. 2: 7, 11,29; 3: 6, 13, 22.

2 Gen. 9:0; ]sa. 33 : 1 ; Dan. 12 : 12 ; Mat. 26 : 52 ; ch. 14 : 12.

820 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Jews, and the thirteenth to the Gentiles, has been de-
scribed under the sixth seal (see ch. 7).

The Apostles proclaimed Jesus Christ the long-
promised Messiah and Son of God, and immersed in
water all who believed their preaching, and voluntarily
received him as their Saviour.

The primitive converts professed to have repented
of sin, and to have embraced the precepts and spirit of
the Gospel ; but it became apparent, even in the life-
time of the Apostles, that many of the prejudices, su-
perstitions and practices, both of the pagans and the
Jews, were retained and incorporated in the faith of
their new profession.

Note. — Circumcision was retained in the church at
Jerusalem, by apostolic sanction (Acts 15), and was
never abolished in the Jewish churches by the precepts
of the Gospel, or abandoned by the Jewish converts to
Christianity. It was retained by those who adopted
the baptism of John and of the Apostles. The chil-
dren of such Christians were admitted to the church on
the same terms their parents were, viz., a profession of
their faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, attested
in baptism (1 Cor. 7). But circumcision Avas forbidden
to the Gentile churches (Gal. 5 : 3, &c.).

The heathen or Jewish rites and superstitions, re-
tained or adopted by the early Christians, were so
inveterate as to subvert the churches which had been
cultivated and instructed with the greatest care, and
before whom the Apostles had exhibited the life and
power of the Christian religion in their own persons
and examples. And it was still Avorse, where the
churches were isolated and their instructions more su-
perficial and less frequent. The multiplicity of con-
verts added to the strength of parties and to the more
manifest departures from the spirit of the Gospel.
Enmity, interest and ambition, national customs, diver-
sity of language and habits, joined their influence to
widen the breaches and strengthen the hostile feelings
engendered and promoted by them.

OUTLINES OF PKOFHETIC KEVELvU'lOiN. o2i

These things occurred at first in the absence of the
apostles (2 Cor. 10) ; but the parties were soon embold-
ened to defy their supervision and guidance, and resist
their authority (ch. 1 : 20) ; and some went so far at
Ephesus and Thyatira, and other places (see ch. 2), as
to call themselves apostles and prophets, and pro-
claim their opposition, in the name of Christ and of
God. While the Apostles lived, they labored both
by letters and discipline to correct these irregulari-
ties ; but no sooner had these inspired teachers been
called to their rest, than the wildest fancies were passed
upon the Christians for divine doctrines, and the most
corrupt practices obtained in the churches. Pagan
superstitions and idolatries, the Mosaic rites and laws,
together with the Jewish temple service, were incor-
porated or retained in public worship by Christian par-
ties, and supported with subtle logic, sophistical ar-
guments or denunciation ; and there are strong reasons
to suspect that the fires of persecution were lighted up
during the first century, by informations preferred by '
the envy of Christians themselves, as often as from the
suspicions and hatred of the pagans.

During this period, the corruptions of the churches
and their deviations from the truth were as perverse
as at any period since, nor was their condition better
during the second and third centuries. Parties had
now settled the language and tenets of their theologi-
cal dicta, and were prepared, by the beginning of the
fourth century, to enforce their opinions upon the at-
tention and belief of their neighbors, by the secular
arm. The stronger party enslaved or banished the
weaker, which soon threw the state into civil ferment
and discord, which resulted in the overthrow of the
Koman empire and the pagan religion, and the estab-
lishment of the two great parties of Catholics and
Arians upon its ruins (see fifth trumpet). These two
leading sects differed fundamentally both in doctrine
and feelings, and involved the state in a long struggle,
14*

822 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC KEVELATION.

which eventuated, after three fourths of a century of
barbarity, proscription, banishment and civil Avars, in
the subjugation or expulsion of the Arians, and the
peaceful settlement and supremacy of the Catholics by
an edict of the emperor Theodosius (a. d. 387), who
rnled the eastern empire, and by the sword of Maxi-
mns, who had usurped the dominions of Gratian, em-
peror of the West.

Note 1.- — The establishment of the Catholics as the
seventh head of the beast, and their establishment of
the papacy, are two different things, varying both in
their dates and in their systems. Consequently, we
must look for the termination of the empire of the
eastern Catholics, and the termination of the empire
of the western Catholics or papists, at periods remote
from each other.

Note 2. — The name of Catholics was successfully
established by law and sword, A. D. 387, and we might
be led to think from the text that in 1260 years from
that time it might be successfully resisted by law and
sword, in special and direct opposition to the episcopal
pretensions, which would be done A. D. 1647, if ihe
former date could be relied upon as correct. And we
find, of consequence, that the empire of the Protestants
was laid in England, A. D. 1647, by the war between
the Churchmen under Charles I. and the Presbyterians,
which resulted in the death of Charles and the estab-
lishment of the Commonwealth, under the protectorate
of Oliver Cromwell, a. d. 1649-60 ; and in Scotland
and other European countries, and the American
states, during the same or succeeding century.

From the days of Theodosius^ the Catholics, left
without successfu] competitors in the Koman empire,
continued gradually to perfect their system of worship
by a constant struggle of the clergy for dignity, power,
and wealth, the establishment of image worship, and
the adjustment of the various orders of monastic life.

Note. — The foundation of the monastic life was

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION. 823

laid by one Paul, of Egypt, about A. D. 250. Ten
years afterwards, it was adopted by the Catholics. The
superstructure was completed by Anthony, the hermit,
a native or resident of Alexandria, in Egypt, A. d. Sd6.
Now, 1260 years from the adoption of the system by
the Catholic churches, we might expect it to be suc-
cessfully resisted, which accordingly took place A. D.
1520-30, by the authors of the " Reformation" (see ch.
13 : 11, &c.).

Image worship, which had been introduced into the
Catholic church about the time of Constantine (or,
rather, the politico-religious system of Constantine
was, from the first, a mixture of Paganism and Chris-
tianity, in which, the latter in name, the former in
spirit, predominated), began now to be publicly de-
fended, and Arcadius, son and successor of Theodosius,
emperor of tUe East, at the head of the most illustrious
clergy and senators, advanced, in a public procession,
to meet the ashes of Samuel, the Hebrew prophet, trans-
ported in a golden vase and covered with a silken veil,
and conducted them in triumph to Constantinople,
more than fourteen hundred years after his death ; and
this was questioned and successfully resisted in the
papal domain twelve hundred and sixty years after-
wards.

A. D. 590, the first image of Christ was presented
to the Roman armies (of Constantinople) in a Persian
expedition, and pretended to be of a miraculous con-
struction, or of divine origin. Image worship, thus
commenced or connived at by Constantine and the
clergy of his times, gradually stole into " the church"
by insensible degrees. Each petty step was considered
innocent of sin, and productive of devotion. But it
was abolished at Constantinople, and throughout the
eastern empire, by the Emperor Leo, the Isaurian, A. D.
726-54, about four hundred years after its union with
the Christian religion, and one hundred after the estab-
lishment of the papacy at Rome.

824 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

The Arians never were image worshippers, The
Kestorians worshipped no visible idols, except the
cross, the serpent, and nehushtan of their heresy. But
the Catholics introduced numberless graven images,
which their priests and monks avouched were made
without hands, or fell from heaven, precisely the same
as the fable of Diana in Acts 19 : 85. Images of Christ,
Mary, the apostles, prophets, relics of the dead, and
even the instruments of torture and death, by which
they suffered, were all at first worshipped by the Ca-
tholics, and afterwards by the papists ; but the eastern
or Greek Catholics, since the time of Leo, A. D. 726-54,
have, like the Protestants, retained only pictures.

Struggle of the Patriarchs. — The clergy, who
had gradually changed the republican government of
the church into an episcopal hierarchy, were, at the
time of Constantine, divided or reduced* to four heads,
called patriarchs or popes, viz., Alexandria, Carthage,
Antioch and Rome. To these he added Constantino-
ple. The patriarchs of Alexandria and Carthage were
humbled by Genseric and his Arian successors, A. D.
430. The patriarch of Antioch, unable to contend
against the odds of the capital cities, was afterwards
taken by the Saracens [a. d. 640]. The struggle for
supremacy remained, therefore, only to the popes of
Constantinople and Rome. This lasted many years.

A. D. 503, the bishop of Rome was declared, in a
numerous synod, to be "pure from all sin and exempt
from judgment." He had. for a long time, surpassed
all his brethren in the magnificence and splendor of
the church over which he presided, in the riches of his
revenues and possessions, in the number and variety
of his ministers, and in his sumptuous and splendid
manner of living. But for many years the bishop
of Constantinople claimed and disputed the title to
equality with him. A. D. 588, John, surnamed the
Faster, patriarch of Constantinople, assumed the title
of universal bishop, which was confirmed by a council,

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 8-6

at that time in session in that city. The successor of
John, who was cotemporary with Gregory the Great,
assumed the same proud title, which, however, gave
great dissatisfaction to the bishop of Rome. Gregory
died, A. D. 604, and was succeeded by Boniface III.

At that time Phocas, emperor of Constantinople,
deprived the bishop of that cit}^ of the title his prede-
cessor had assumed of universal bishop, and conferred
it on Boniface III., A. d. 606, at the same time declar-
ing the church of Rome to be head of all other churches.

Note. — This transaction embraced three parts — 1st.
That the pope of Rome is universal bishop, and head
of other bishops. 2d. That the church of Rome is head
of all other churches. 3d. It followed, that if the
Roman church is head of all other churches, and the
Roman pontiff is head of that church and head of all
other bishops, then the Roman bishop is head of all the
churches and all the bishops of the world ; and so he
claimed, and so the emperor Phocas intended. This
transaction bears date A. d. 606 ; then 1260 years from
that time he will cease his claim, and be nowhere ac-
knowledged as pope. Add these two dates of 606 and
1260 together, and we have A. d. 1866 for the final
termination of this proud and abused title.

The time of the rise of the vast power, dignity, and
authority which was assumed by the popes over the
spiritual affairs of "the churches" having been stated,
and its prophetic termination ascertained, I now return
to sketch their temporal power and its prophetic end,
and afterwards shall speak of the use and abuse of the
authorit}^ thus assumed and conferred.

Civil Power of the Popes. — It was during the
government of Narses, exarch of Ravenna in Italy, in
the reign of Justinian, A. D. 553 to 560, that the Roman
pontiff first figures in civil jurisprudence, but in a sub-
ordinate capacity. The Romans now began gradually
to become accustomed to the union of temporal and
spiritual power in their bishops, which accumulated

826 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC KEVELATION.

through the enlarged exercise of their spiritual func-
tions. The unsettled condition of the West made it the
interest of the exarchs and governors of Italy to flatter
the pride and court the favor of the Roman pontiffs,
and they could not but feel their importance to the
successful administration of public affairs ; so that when
their spiritual dominion was declared by the emperor
(a. d. 606) to be imiversal^ the citizens of Home were
by no means surprised, if their bishop, then magistrate
of the city, claimed also to be independent of the civil
authorities, and "exempt from the judgment" of the
state. In this, for a century, the emperors acquiesced ;
but on the accession of Leo, the Isaurian, to the throne
of Constantinople, and the sovereignty of the two em-
pires, A. D. 727, he vigorously proscribed the public and
private worship of images, and abolished the dress and
profession of the monks. Gregory II. was then patri-
arch of Eome. At the head of the Latin Catholics, he
fondly and zealously defended and cherished the images
in the churches of Italy. About this time he sent to
Leo two menacing letters, in one of which he taunts
the emperor of ignorance and military weakness, de-
plores the scandalous change in the emperor's religious
worship, and adds — "Are you ignorant that the popes
are the bond of union — the mediators of peace between
the East and the West ? The eyes of the nations are
fixed upon our humility ; and they revere, as a God
upon earth, the Apostle St. Peter, whose image you
threaten to destroy. The remote and interior kingdoms
of the west present their homage to Christ and his
vicegerent, and we now prepare to visit one of the
most powerful monarchs, who desires to receive from
our hands the sacrament of baptism. The barbarians
have submitted to the yoke of the Gospel, while you
alone are deaf to the voice of the shepherd. These
pious barbarians are kindled into rage; they thirst to
avenge the persecutions of the East. Abandon your
rash and fatal enterprise ; reflect, tremble, and repent.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 827

If you persist, we are ignorant of the blood that may
be spilled in the contest ; may it fall upon your head."
But Gregory did not trust, on this occasion, either to
the powers of persuasion or the force of remonstrance,
nor the miracles of the saints, nor the prayers of the
church, nor the protection of his idols. Having re-
moved the images and domestic deities from the places
of public concourse and worship, and secreted them in
places of safety, he boldly armed in their defence and
for the preservation of the Catholic worship. Leo sent
a fleet and army to reduce the Italians who espoused
the quarrel with Gregory ; but in a battle near Eavenna
the papists were victorious, and the images were re-
stored to their former places. By this successful trea-
son and revolt, the pope of Rome became not only the
temporal sovereign of Rome in his own right, but was
placed in a situation which gradually accustomed the
Roman people to consider him the first magistrate or
prince of the kingdom of Italy, and the sole head of
the papal worship throughout the world. Leo, al-
though unsuccessful abroad, was more fortunate at
home. He obliged the patriarch of Constantinople to
abjure the religion of his predecessors, and the images
of " the church," and become the head of the Icono-
clasts [or Magians ?] which was under his son and suc-
cessor, A. D. 754, declared in general council to be the re-
ligion of the East. Since that time this party has taken
the name of the " Greek Catholic Church," which, with
some modifications of forms, to this day excludes the
use of statues and images from their worship, but ad-
mits of paintings and silver or copper shrines. (See
sixth trumpet, 3d part, ch. 11 : 7-8.) The votaries of
the Greek church are scattered over northern Europe,
Africa, and western Asia, embracing about seventy
millions of souls ; while the patriarch of Rome receives
the homage of one hundred and thirty millions of de-
votees, found in Italy, France, Bavaria, Austria, Sar-
dinia, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Netherlands, Germany,

828 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Ireland, Mexico, New Spain, Canadas, South. America,
and a few others scattered over various parts of the
globe.

After this the popes were depressed bj the "bar-
barians, and Home was, for a century, reduced to her
ancient limits, from Yisterbo to Terecina, and from
Narni to the mouth of the Tiber. But the temporal
reign of the popes was not wholly taken away ; and
after several revolutions and a long struggle, they ac-
quired strength and authority, which at times has been
acknowledged and respected throughout a large part
of the habitable earth, and by some in almost all na-
tions. When at the height of their power, supported
by France, Spain, England, the governors of the Vene-
tian republic, and the German states, the popes have
exercised an irresistible influence over the nations of
Europe, and over the commerce of every mart, and the
armies of the leading powers of the world. At the
same time, the kingdoms which supported the papacy
interfered with the liberty of conscience, maintained
national religious establishments by force, and destroy-
ed, as far as possible, all who resisted or questioned
their supremacy.

The temporal power of the bishop of Eome com-
menced while his rivals still exercised a disputed and
unsettled spiritual jurisdiction, A. D. 553-560 ; and by A. D.
750-56 he was able to resist the armies of the Eastern em-
pire ; and 1260 years after he obtained temporal power,
we may look for it to be successfully resisted and circum-
scribed. In 1798 the armies of France overturned the
papal government in Italy ; and A. D. 1808, Napoleon
Bonaparte abolished the court of inquisition, which, he
said, in a speech to the citizens of Madrid, was a "subject
of complaint to Europe and the present age. Priests
may guide the minds of men, but must exercise no
temporal or corporal jurisdiction over the citizens. I
have preserved the spiritual orders, but with a limita-
tion of the number of monks." The pope, however,

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION. o29

managed, notwithstanding the revolution in Italy, to
retain the union of his temporal and spiritual authority,
but was soon after (a. d. 1815) reduced to a mere ci-
pher in the political world ; and the present pope, Pius
IX., relinquished (a. d. 1847-8) the remaining shadow
of his temporal authority on the demand of his people,
but which, in Sept., 181:9, was forcibly taken from them
b}^ the armies of France, and is now intrusted to de-
puties; and (April, 1850) the pope is yet abroad, a
public mendicant upon the bounties of the nations.

It is seen that the rise of the beast was gradual, as,
of necessit}^, it must be. It obtained, by regular, and,
at times, insensible degrees, an ascendency over the
minds of men. Yet by a continual series of advance-
ments, it arose to its zenith of power and glory, then
culminated, and now hastens to its final end. Each
important advance is marked by a corresponding im-
portant retrograde 1260 years afterwards ; and each
important rise is destined to a corresponding fall. But
it must be observed, that the papacy is a distinct de-
velopment of the beast, to which alone the 1260 years'
duration is by this prophecy assigned. And although
I have noted the several coincidences which are named
m the foregoing history, it is for the purpose of illus-
trating the progress of events which are yet to be more
fully considered, not to compel the application of a
prophecy by a forcible interpretation. The papacy
will fall, if the edict of the emperor Phocas marks the
precise time of its development, A. d. 1866. But if the
prophecy dates the establishment of the papacy, and
the loosing of the Euphratian angels at the same time
(both occurring under the sixth trumpet), then a longer
age is to be assigned the papacy. And A. d. 630 must
be fixed as the time of its commencement, in this pre-
sent form, and 1260 3^ears afterwards (a. d. 1890), we
must look for its end. Bat the fall of the papacy is by
no means the destruction of the beast ; he will survive
in another form. In other words, opposition to the

380 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

truth will not cease with the fall of the papacy. The
"two horns," the successors of the ten, which survived
the overthrow of the "three" which fell to make way
for the pope, and the five overturned by the faith of
Islam, will yet combine to announce the troubles of
the seventh trumpet (ch. 11 : 15-18). I am now to
speak of the ^ xercise and abuse of the power assumed,
usurped, or conferred upon the beast from the sea, in
its papal form, and for the division of the several sub-
jects, shall be guided by the indications of the text.

Chap. 13 : 1, 2. — Beast rose out of the sea. I have be-
fore shown (ch. 12) that this beast is the organized
infidelity of the world, showing its opposition to the
rights of men and the worship of God, through politico-
religious establishments. Its seven heads, that is, the
powers which, in their ages, have taken the lead in
moral and political wrongs, are — 1st, Assyria; 2d,
Chaldea ; 3d, Medo-Persia ; 4th, Macedonia ; 5th, Syro-
Media ; 6th, pagan Rome ; and 7th, the Byzantine or
Eastern empire. The papal powers which support —
or, rather, are rode upon by — the Roman patriarch,
are its body. The ten horns, three of whom fell to
make way for the display of the subtle claims and
forcible usurpations of the papacy, and five of which
fell before the Mahometan powers, are yet to survive
those systems, and under the seventh trumpet revive
or project measures for the last great conflict which
precedes the general reception of the truth (see ch. 13 :
11, &c). The laws of the kingdoms which sujDported
the Catholic religion and gave power to the papacy,
interfered with liberty of conscience, supported na-
tional religious establishments, and destroyed to the
extent of their power all who differ from them. In
this respect, this form of infidelity favors Babylon
(Esth. 1, &c. ; Dan. 7 : 4 ; see third seal and second
trumpet). The laws of a people, when acquiesced in,
either from choice or compulsion, are the language
they speak.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. o8l

The dragon gave him his seat. Dragon, the emblem
of subtlety, deception, and idolatry (ch. 12 : 1, 7 and
13 : 2), held his seat or throne, at the time of the Re-
velator, at Rome, in Italy (ch. 2: 13); and whether the
intention is that this beast wielded the influences of
deception and idolatry, or wielded them from the then
centre of religious opposition to God, makes but little
difference in the result, as both, howeyer improbable
they might have then appeared, haye proved true —
that is, this power has not only wielded them, but
Avielded them at Rome, tlie then centre of opposition
to God .So that the papacy has, for twelve centuries,
from the site of ancient pagan Rome, wielded the op-
posing influences of idolatry against Christianity, while
the rest of the pagan world has, in this respect, been
comparativel}^ idle. And to the present moment, the
papists are the heart and sinew — the life and spirit of
the pagan system (ch. 13 : 3).

One of its heads ivomided, and by a sioord^ and healed.
In the civil war between Constantine and Maximian (a.
D. 306-9) the victory resulted nominally to the Chris-
tian religion, and the pagan powers were overthrown.
And when the court of ancient Rome was removed to
Constantinople, the key of the eastern and western
conquests of that vast empire, the power, opulence, and
wealth of the countries rapidly concentrated at the new
capital, and Rome continued to decline for nearly a
century, when it was besieged and taken by Alaric,
king of the Goths, a. d. 410. From this time until a. d.
552, nearly a century and a half more, it became a
rendezvous of armies, and a theatre of warlike depre-
dations and sanguinary battles, when it was retaken
by the arms of Justinian, under Parses, and held as
the rightful conquest of the kings of Constantinople.
This revolution, by which Rome was annexed or re-
stored to the Eastern empire, cost ten or twelve mil-
lions of human lives in wars alone, to which awful and

382 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC EEVELATION.

almost incredible"^^' number, earthquakes, inundations,
devastating lires, pestilences, famines, and neglect,
added untold and countless myriads to the catalogue
of those who died in the same period, from vio-
lent or other unusual causes. These struggles were
succeeded by the re-establishment of the Catholic
religion at Eome, over which a bishop was appointed
or restored, subject to the kings of Constantinople,
and on an equality with the other patriarchal bi-
shops, until the reign of Phocas (a. d. 602), who en-
larged their franchises, confirmed their spiritual au-
thority, and (A. D. 606) conferi-ed upon Boniface III.
the title of " universal bishop," so long ambitiously
coveted and humbly refused by his predecessors. The
sovereignty of the Eoman bishop was not, however, at
once received and acknowledged throughout the two
empires. But the " head," which is the "eighth, and
is of the seven," vras thus made visible. Its location
was settled — its aspect and outlines portrayed and
definitely embodied. Soon after the Roman bishop
had accepted the title conferred by Phocas, the king
was taken prisoner, and beheaded by Heraclius, on his
(Heraclius's) return from the Avarian and Persian
wars, A. D, 607. It was during the reign of Heraclius,
when things had thus become prepared and shaped at
Rome, that a question was started which took its rise
from others previously decided, and which had paved
the way for the acknowledgment of the Roman supre-
macy, viz. : " Was the one person and two natures of
Christ actuated by one will ?" It was at first answered
that he had but one will, but, after a fierce controversy,
it was held by the Catholics that he had two wills ; but
this controversy, decided against their enemies without
dividing their own ranks, was soon lost in the more
visible and popular discussion of image worship. In
this. Catholic became arrayed against Catholic, and, at

* This data is computed by the most skeptic and credible historians
of the world, or I should not have felt it entitled to belief.

OUTLIlSrES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 333

length, patriarch, became arrayed against patriarch,
and eventually, upon this point, the two empires became
marshalled in hostile array. Image worship was com-
menced as early as the days of Constantine, and con-
nived at by that part of *'the church" which, in eccle-
siastical history^ are called "orthodox," and their oppo-
nents schismatics. In this latter controversy, the Roman
popes, or " universal bishops," and their followers,
always defended the worship of images ; and the con-
troversy was decided in a battle near Ravenna (a. d.
727), between the forces of Pope Gregory II. and those
of Leo, the Isaurian, emperor of the East, in which
the Papists were victorious, and thus succeeded in
ingrafting idolatry upon their Christianity, by which
the dragon — that old serpent, the devil and Satan —
either from necessity or choice, gave up to them his
seat, dignity, and throne, and with them, in the papal
dominions, the work and authority of defending the
practice, and binding it "infallibly" and irrevocably
upon themselves and their adherents. Thus the pope
successfully vindicated and embodied in himself the
temporal and spiritual powers of the state and church,
on the very question of the defence and establishment
of idolatry, which was afterwards solemnly confirmed
in two general councils convened, the first by Gregory
III. (a. d. 73U), and again by the Nicene council (a. d.
787). Thus the idolatry of pagan Rome, which had
been " wounded to death by the sword' ' and policy of the
pagan Constantine, in a conflict for temporal power, was
restored and "healed" by the "orthodox Christian/'
Gregory III., in a conflict with the emperor for spiritual
dominion, — and all the world wondered after the beast.
When idolatry was thus re-established, about A. D.
754, the Lombards, a warlike and impetuous race from
the northeast of Europe, following in the footsteps of
the Goths, fell upon Italy and wrested it from the
hands of the popes — took Ravenna, and extinguished
the exarchate, which had continued from the days of
Justinian, a period of two hundred years.

834 OUTLINES OF PHOPHETIC EEVELATION.

About this time Astolplius became leader and king
of the Lombards. He summoned Zachery, the Koman
pontiff, to acknowledge his sovereignty, and laid the
kingdom under an annual tribute of a piece of gold for
the life of each citizen. Four years after this, A. D.
758, or about this time, Stephen II. succeeded to the
papal chair. He invited or commanded Pepin, king
of France, to make war on Astolphus, in which he was
successful ; and several rich provinces of Italy, wrested
from Astolphus or conquered by Pepin, were conferred
upon Pope Stephen IL, " for the remission of his
(Pepin's) sins, and the salvation of his soul."

The pope hastened to reinstate his dependent bish-
ops in their ancient privileges ; but the archbishop of
Eavenna revolted against his sovereign pontiff, and the
pope was again reduced to the sovereignty of the city
of Eome.

Having thus, by the aid of France, partially recov-
ered, the Germans seized upon Italy, took Kome, and
held her bishop for many years, subjected to their civil
jurisdiction, although not deprived of temporal power,
while they acknowledged his spiritual control. Dur-
ing the ninth and tenth centuries, the Eoman pontiffs
were insulted, imprisoned and murdered by their ty-
rants, until they were reduced by their vices, crimes,
or calamities to such indigence, that they could neither
support the state of a prince nor exercise the charity
of a priest. But, A. D. 1073, Gregory VII. assumed
the papal chair. He was bold, subtle and ambitious.
Having risen from the cell of a monk, by his austere
and dangerous virtues, the scandals of the past century
were obliterated or forgotten. Instead of confining his
spiritual authority to the government of the church or
the government of Eome and Italy, he originated the
daring project of converting the states, into which the
western empire was divided, into fiefs of the church.
But he was at last driven from Eome, and died in exile
at Salerno. This was followed by schisms and open

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION. 385

ruptures in the church. The sovereigns of Europe
asserted their rights, and maintained them by arms.
The nobility of Kome resisted the secular control of
the popes, and drove them from the city ; and in their
absence elected others more obsequious or less aspir-
ing in their stead. Civil wars ensued, in which popes
and anti-popes were arrayed against each other, and
against the people. Eome at length yielded, and Cle-
ment III. came into peaceful possession of the sword
and altar of the papal world.

A. D. 1198, the papal power attained its zenith
under the execrable Innocent III. By means of cru-
sades and the establishment of the Inquisition (a. d.
1201), he acquired independent sovereignty in Italy,
converted the Holy See into a temporal engine, and
exercised despotic authority over most of Europe, and
both as a temporal and spiritual prince, was the great-
est sovereign of his times. The popes now claimed
and exercised the right to dispose of crowns and scep-
tres at their pleasure. They excommunicated and de-
posed monarchs, trode upon the necks of kings, ab-
solved subjects from allegiance to their lawful sove-
reigns, regulated the consciences of the clergy, pro-
claimed the power to grant indulgences to sin, and
their authority to bind on earth and to bind in heaven.

Ter. 4. And they ivorshij^ped the beast.

Yer. 5. And there luas given unto him a mouthy speak-
ing blasphemies.

When the papacy was fully developed, and the
mitred rulers of the church were peacefully settled in
their temporal sovereignty, the peoples expressed their
wonder and admiration, not only in obeying their man-
dates, in submitting to them in all civil and even do-
mestic concerns, but in receiving and venerating the
bones and relics and idols prescribed from time to time
in religious worship, and in superstitiously believing
priests had power, not only to forgive sins against men
on earth, but against Jehovah in heaven. And the ig-

386 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

norant multitudes, debased and brutalized by such con-
cessions, reverently bowed before the persons of the
popes themselves, and worshipped them as " lords and
gods," and "the vicegerents of Christ." Kings bowed
before them and reverently kissed their feet, while
their more humble votaries received at a distance the
blessings which they imagined graciously distilled
from their extended hands. Catholics conceived their
popes to be personally holy and infallible, and attri-
buted to them the attributes of Deity. And the popes
have not only permitted, but claimed and encouraged
such reverence, and to this day (a. d. 1849) keep their
votaries deprived of the Scriptures, and in ignorance
of the natural sciences, lest their impostures and blas-
phemies should be discovered and rejected, and their
tyranny dissolved.

Blasphemy consists (see emblems ver. 8) in denying
or assuming the attributes of God, or attributing wick-
edness to him. The papacy have endeavored, in all
ages, to associate the name of God, the apostles, and
the heavenly hosts with their worship, and have de-
clared that these have, by visions and miracles, com-
missioned and authorized all the frauds, falsehoods,
idolatries, murders and persecutions which they have
been continually guilty of, through the whole age of
the papal existence, even to the present time. Nor
have they rested content to appeal to God and his
saints for a commission to commit iniquity, and leave
the merit of its performance to be awarded to them-
selves as agents and actors, but have gone so far as to
declare that the Most Holy has often expressed his
sanction of deeds the most sanguinary and crimes the
most revolting, by applauding voices, approving vis-
ions, and justifying miracles, after the acts were com-
mitted and finished.

Idolatry is undoubtedly the stronghold and seat of
the dragon on earth, and by it he is adored among
men. At the present time, when the spirit of missions

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 837

is descending upon the cliurclies, and the Bible is being
multiplied and circulated beyond all former precedent
or example, and idolatry is giving way at many points ;
the papists have thrown themselves into the breach, and
through their power and influence oppose more formida-
ble obstacles to the conversion of the world than are pre-
sented from any other quarter. It is found that the
strength of idolatry is centred in the pope, and he is
strong only for evil. To do good he cannot. That
would break down his authority and destroy his power.
Wherever the missionary of the gospel goes, there he
is followed by the artfal bishop or persecuting priest
of papal Eome. ISTor can the world be induced to sub-
mit to the principles of the gospel, the light of revela-
tion, or the truth and improvements of Christianity,
until this sinful power is taken away. Certainly the
pope is in the seat of the dragon, and at the head of
spiritual sin. But his time is limited to " forty and
two" prophetic months (ver. 5), and the epoch of his
termination is near.

As the period assigned for the expiration of the
beast from the sea hastens on, we might naturally sup-
pose there would be signs of his approaching fall, if
we had rightly calculated the term of his existence.
And so it is. When the papacy had attained the zenith
of its glory and power, and an awestruck and prostrate
world shuddered at its mandate and obeyed its will,
it passed its meridian ; and the gloom of night begins
already to invest its closing day. A. D. 1378, there
appeared the first permanent sign of its decay. Ur-
ban IV. was elevated to the pontifical chair. His
election was disputed ; and from that time, rival pon-
tiffs launched against each other their anathemas and
the louder thunders of war, which involved the nations
of Europe during forty years of sanguinary struggle,
which was hushed by the election of Martin Y. This
was the great schism of the West. In these wars the
pride of the pontiffs was greatly humbled, the kings
15

338 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

of Europe resumed their sovereignty, literature began
gradually to enliven the gloom of ignorance, and the
converts of the true church either began to multiply
and become more formidable, or their history has been
better preserved than in previous years, A. D. 1517
marks the era of Luther's schism, and the successful
revolt of the German and English states from the tem-
poral and spiritual power of the popes. The princi-
ples of light and darkness had long been struggling for
the mastery, but now the dawn put on a glorious ra-
diance. The Scriptures were translated and jDrinted in
living languages ; science revived, and nation after
nation sprung up into successful existence, or revolted
from the papal see. England, whose politics have a
controlling influence in every cabinet of Europe, dates
her greatness since A. D. 1558. The United Provinces
proclaimed their independence under the States Gene-
ral, A. D. 1580. Sweden, Switzerland, and the Protes-
tant Electors enlarged their territories and influence
before a. d. 1700. Prussia acquired the rank of a king-
dom A. D. 1701. Holland attained soon after this the
ascendency in the Indian Ocean and the Asiatic seas,
wresting from Catholic Portugal one arm of her com-
mercial greatness ; and while one event after another
was thus rapidly undermining all the Eoman Catholic
states. Providence was preparing a scourge, in a new
power then just emerging from barbarism, both for
Mohammedan and Papal Europe. The illustrious Mus-
covite, Peter the Great, removed his capital to St. Pe-
tersburgh, 1703. He formed the Eussian nav}^, and
assumed the title of Emperor, A. D. 1721. A. D. 1776,
the United States of America asserted their indepen-
dence, and became another power formidable to the
papal dominions of the New World, and, by their com-
merce, missionaries, science, enterprise, and form of
government; formidable to tyrants everywhere. A. D.
1792, the French Kevolution burst forth like a volcano,
before which the strongest bulwarks of Europe gave

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 339

way. This was followed by the new French empire
under Napoleon Bonaparte, who, after depriving the
pope of his dominions and liberty, reinstated him in
his spiritual authority, w^hile he held Europe, with the
exception of Russia, obedient to his will. The pope
now leaned towards the French empire as the arm of
his support. Russia was reserved by Providence to
break that arm, and after a series of bloody wars the
power and person of Napoleon became a prey to the
English, and the temporal power of the popes first
sunk into insignificance and contempt, and is now van-
ished to the limits of Rome; and every war since that
date has lessened the Catholic authority, or proved their
imbecility wherever it has occurred. Nor is the action of
the sword lessening the secular power of the papacy
the only sign of his end. Another conspicuous sign
of the approaching fall of the papacy is seen in the
growing activity and zeal of the churches in sending
the disciples of Jesus to preach the gospel among all
nations, and in translating the Scriptures and multiply-
ing copies in all the languages of the earth, under
whose auspices a new nation has sprung into life in the
southern seas, and under the influence of foreign resi-
dents is fast acquiring political and commercial influ-
ence in parts but lately known.

During all the great events which have transpired
in the last half century, many of which have been at
the expense of the Catholics, there has not one occurred
which has been permanently favor ahle to the papal see.

The present wars, revolts, and revolutions (of A. D.
184.8-9) have thus far been entirely unfavorable, and
some of them eminently hazardous to the papal insti-
tutions upon the continent ; and the destruction of the
city of Rome itself has been threatened, and the person
of the present pontiff, Pius IX. has been treated with
contempt and indignity. Opposition to the papacy
has, therefore, been manifested,' — first, by law and
sword; second, by the truth.

340

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

RECAPITULATION-

-MEANS OF THE FALL OF THE BEAST
FROM THE SEA.

1st. by law and sword, to wit :

England, since 1558.

United Provinces, a. d. 1580.

Sweden, Switzerland, and the
Electors, a. d. 1700.

Prussia, a, d. 1701.

Holland attained the ascenden-
cy in the Indian Ocean since a. d.
1701.

Russia arose since that period.

United States of America, a. d.
1776.

French Revolution, 1798, fol-
lowed by French Empire, wiiich
terminated a. d. 1815.

Wars in different parts of the
world, especially the United States
with Mexico, a. t>. 1846.

French Republic, Feb., 1848.

Roman Republic, 1848, over-
turned by the arms of the French
Republic, a. d. 1849.

2d. by the truth.

America discovered a. d. 1492.

Luther's schism, a. d. 1517; only
25 years after the discovery of
America.

First Baptist church founded at
Providence, Rhode Island, a. d.
1639 — the first ever established in
a free country— the first to which
was ever offered the refusal of po-
litical power, and from the example
of which arose the free government
of the republic of the United States
of America, and others since erect-
ed throughout the world.

The beginning of the eighteenth
century marked by the rise of be-
nevolent and missionary societies.

A. D. 1701. The Society for
Propagating the Gospel in Foreign
Parts — to send missionaries to the
Indians of North America.

A. D. 1742. Rise of Methodism,
which awakened a home mission-
ary spirit.

A. D. 1785. Sunday School So-
ciety in London.

A. D. 1795. London Missionary
Society for Foreign Fields.

A. Jb. 1798. Connecticut Mis-
sionary Society.

A. D. 1799. Massachusetts Mis-
sionary Society, followed by oth-
er societies of the same kind.

A. D. 1804. British and Foreign
Bible Society.

A. D. 1813. Russian Bible So-
ciety.

A. D. 1816. Seaman's Society

A. D. 1824. Baptist General
Tract Society.

A. D. 1825. American Tract So-
ciety, New-York ; and Prison Dis-
cipline Society, Boston.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 341

1826. American Home Mission
Society. American Bible Society.
Temperance Societv.

A. D. 1830. Moral Reform So-
ciety.

A.D. 1835. Anti-Slavery Society.

A. D. 1836. American and Fo-
reign Bible Society.

Note. That some of tliese societies are without war-
rant, either by the command or example of the Scrip-
tures, is conceded ; but that they are gradually under-
mining and breaking up the papacy, is equally plain.

Verse 7. It was given unto him to make war loitlb the
saints. Hitherto I have spoken of the whole body of
the papists as a single individual, and so are they re-
presented in our text ; as a beast from the sea, of savage
propensities, taking various forms and colors, yet actu-
ated by one heart and one will. If we consider his
body [the political states] we find them of surpassing
activity and force, easily aroused, cruel, sanguinary,
and violent, as indicated by the scarlet leopard from
the sea. If we look at its heads [the ancient empires],
they are armed with strong and dangerous horns, both
to push and defend. If at his mouth [laws, decretals,
&c.], its teeth as of a lion, shows him a beast of prey;
while from before the terrible thunder [anathemas, bulls,
edicts,] of his roaring, all the beasts of the forests do
hide themselves. But if we consider his feet [the na-
tions in his service] they are strong to hold, to strike,
or to tear. He is represented in all his parts as a
compound of ferocity. We are now to enter upon a
scene of history which decides — 1st, who the beast of
the text is — the great persecutor ; 2d, and among
what people the saints are to be found ; and had I
time and room, 3d, would show that all Bible saints
have been alike in their faith, their practice, and their
church discipline, in all ages since the days of the Apos-
tles. So that, at any time, he who would have taken
the trouble to have investigated, might have known
them, so nearly has the copy ever been to the original.

842 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION".

We assert, 1st. The papists liave made war upon
tlie saints, and without any provocation, except that
being exceeding mad against them ; thej have perse-
cuted them oft, even unto strange cities, and have
made war upon distant countries with no other object
but to destroy those who received the Scriptures
as the Word of God, and peaceably made them the
rule of their social and religious life.

2d. No other people have ever done this to the
Catholics since or before they became the apocalyptic
beast.

8d. The papal Catholics have succeeded, for a great
length of time, in depressing those who have made the
Holy Bible the key and chart of their religion.

The form of the papal power, as it has existed, is
so well known in history, that we need hardly give an
account of it. But I shall observe —

1st. The pope is the supreme head of their church,
and the last authority of appeals in matters of practice
and discipline. If the cases are new, he decides from
the dictates of his own judgment; if they are similar
to others before decided, then his sentence is according
to tradition and precedent; and it is made a grand
point, in fact or pretence, never to vary from the prior
decisions of a preceding pontiff, however ancient.

2d. These decisions are held to be of the same au-
thority, and equally binding upon all Catholic churches,
as the Word of Grod ; and all papists, in and out of the
pope's temporal jurisdiction, are held to receive, observe,
and obey them as the infallible will of Heaven,

3d. The Koman Catholic church is episcopal in its
organization and discipline. There are, among its
clergy, different grades and orders, amounting to a
considerable number (see ch. 12, p. 295), each of which
have distinct names and duties. But among those of
the same name there is also a pre-eminence or precC'
dcDce in dignity and authority. Among the various
"• orders" there are differences of honor and rank,

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 343

After the clergy are the "lay" or common mem-
bers ; and among these there subsist various orders
and ranks ; so that one would suppose that the lowest
of the lower ranks must be very far beneath the sur-
face of the upper ones, — and so he is taught, and so he
feels. But the lowest may aspire to the highest honors
in the popedom, and men of genius sometimes attain
them. It is also a rule among them, that no married
man shall hold the office of bishop ; consequently its
honors or emoluments cannot descend by heirship and
inheritance in the line of primogeniture, but pass, on
the death or removal*of one occupant, to others ap-
pointed to receive them.

4th. The pope is temporal prince in his own do-
minions, and all civil and military offices of the pope-
dom, for a long time previous to A. D. 1848, have been
filled by bishops, archbishops, and other clerical func-
tionaries; so that no layman could hold political office.

5th. Out of the pope's temporal jurisdiction, in
those countries where the papal church is established
or supported by law, the people are held and bound
by all the pope's decisions which respect their spiritual
affairs ; but laymen may hold office according to the
tenure of the constitution of the realm, or the will of
the king or the sovereign of the state.

And to such a power, acting by distinct orders and
ranks, affecting all the ramifications of business, of so-
cial life, and of the spiritual and temporal interests of
men, each rank informed of the hopes and fears, and
even the thoughts of its next inferior one, by means of
inquisitions, censorships, or auricular confessions, — to
such a power it "was given" to make war with the
saints and to " overcome them."

The papists have made war with the saints — 1st, by
councils ; 2d, by law ; 3d, by sword.

Catholic councils obtained opinions, approved of
commentaries and glosses upon the Scriptures, and as-
certained traditions, and then enforced them by anathe-

844 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

mas and excommunications, and in this way made war
upon private judgment and tlie rights of the saints.

They changed the forms of religion. They first su-
perseded, then suspended the rites which Christ had
instituted for his church, and added other ceremonies
of pomp and splendor, to some of which they attached
a mysterious efficacy. They borrowed the religious
forms of Judaism (which God had abolished), and of
Paganism (Avhich he had forbidden), and compelled
their reception by force, and in this way made war
upon the duties of the saints.

They canonized the dead, and added the names of
Mary, the mother of Christ, and some of the Apostles
to the catalogue of those to whom prayers might be
offered or worship paid. To these they added a long
train of persons of less note, and, eventually, all the
hosts of angels and men whom they supposed to be in
heaven, and some of those said to be in purgatory,
who they expected would afterwards arrive in heaven,
and enforced homage by law ; and in this way they
made war upon the consciences of the saints.

To these they added the profiles and portraits of
the saints, and, soon after, the houses in which they
had lived or preached, the coffins and tombs in which
they were buried, the apparel which they had worn,
and then the teeth, and bones, and ashes of the dead.
To these they added instruments of torture as objects
of worship — crosses, nails, and even bits of decayed
wood, supposed to have been used as a murderous
weapon of death, in the execution of saints and mar-
tyrs ; then were added implements of labor or articles
of ornament — as beads, crucifixes, agnus deis, &c. — as
objects of worship or helps to devotion; to which was
added a great variety of other things, whose reception
was enforced by excommunication and death. To
these were prefixed, an endless rabble of governors,
dependents, spies, and officers, called the episcopac}^, by
which they made war upon the freedom of the saints.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 845

From these things they proceeded to set a price
upon crimes, and compomided with sinners for money.
They pardoned the guilty for bribes, the amounts of
which were estabhshed b}^ law (ch. 18 : 1-3), and mur-
dered the innocent for their wealth. They claimed
and exercised the privilege and power to commit sins
with impunit}^, and to pardon the guilty at pleasure.
AYith all these they made war upon the truth and upon
those who held it.

They forbid the saints to instruct their children,
and kept the Bible and other books, which are the
keys of knowledge, both from them and from the blind
votaries of their own congregations ; and thus made
war upon the minds of the saints. And, as if this,
which was done in public, were not enough, they pur-
sued the followers of Jesus into retirement, and forbid
them to consult his word or peruse the Scriptures in
private. If any dared to transgress their commands,
they thrust them into prison, and tortured them with
instruments hideous and horrible. Thej^ taxed their
mechanical ingenuity to invent refinements of cruelty
and exquisite punishments ; and when they had ex-
hausted their efforts at deforming and tormenting their
victims, they publicly killed them in ways and by
means as cruel as they could invent ; and in this way
made war upon the lives of individual saints.

They chastised and burned children for the virtues
of their parents, and visited families with distress and
ignominy, on account of the religion of their connec-
tions ; and so made war upon the relatives of the saints.

If any fled from their jurisdiction or fortified them-
selves in places of defence, they raised armies and pur-
sued them into distant countries with the desolations
of fire and sword, or besieged them in their strong-
holds, where, cutting off their supply of provisions,
they sent famine into their midst, or by perfidious ne-
gotiations and capitulations betrayed them to disaster
and death.

15-^

S4:6 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

If otlier governments gave protection to tlie friends
of Jesus, tliey invaded them by crusades, and their
commerce by reprisals ; and thus they made war upon
the saints and those who sheltered them.

He made war with the saints ; but who was able to
make war with him? for "power was given him over
all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." This clause
is, however, to be taken in a limited sense ; but, in
truth, power was given him over many kindreds and
|)eople.

But were there none, among all ranks and orders
of the papacy — among the noble and ignoble, from
pope to priest, from king to peasant, to raise a pitying
voice, a protesting complaint, or a helping hand to the
outcast, the innocent, or the oppressed ? — None. Not
for relative or friend? — None. Not for parent or
child ? — None. Not for the honored or the obscure ? —
None. Not in the long gloom of twelve hundred and
sixty years ? — None ; for however papal nations and
papal votaries may have differed and fought upon
other occasions or upon other subjects, in this all were
agreed. By a singular unanimity unknown to men,
every pope and every priest held a hostile attitude to
the saints ; and among all the thousands of the Catho-
lics, there are found none who visited with commisera-
tion the saints in prison, or was charitable to one he
esteemed a heretic.

But these are serious charges, and the authors of
such atrocities must be bloody men. Yes; yet the
charges are not exaggerated. Are they denied? —
Each can be proved in detail, and the details would fill
volumes. Each fact stated, and each assertion made,
can be verified by ample testimony of unquestionable
veracity.

Nor was there, during the twelve centuries to which
we have limited this power, another body of men in
any capacity, whether of government or church, Pagan
or Mohammedan, who persecuted the followers of Jesus

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 347

with such virulence, untiring perseverance, or perpetual
rancor as did the Catholics. The beast from the sea
thus persecuted and made war upon the saints, and
God gave them into his hands for wise and good rea-
sons, while his promises were pending and unaccom-
plished, that the earth shall be filled with the know-
ledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (Isa. 2 : 9.)

Eeflections. 1st. The historical evidence which
establishes these facts proves the authors of this "war"
to be the beast from the sea.

2d. The professed followers of Jesus, who, having
the Word of God, made that their rule of religious
practice, on account of which they were persecuted by
the Roman power, are the apocalyptic saints.

3d. Those who are like them are saints now.

Vekses 9, 10. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that lead-
eth into captivity, shall go into captivity, &c.

Here is a solemn call upon the world to give atten-
tion to the sentence about to be pronounced against
the beast ; and the sentence is this : " That the papists
shall never be converted to God through the blood of
Christ or the agency of the Holy Spirit, but shall be
given up to the horrors of war, to be slain with the
sword or be driven into captivity.''

Let the friends and advocates of modern peace so-
cieties look to this. Until the Scriptures can be broken,
their efforts to restrain unconverted men from war are
vain. It may be right to offer salvation to the Catho-
lics, in the name of Jesus ; but they only who are his
people will come out from among them, and the rest
must perish. Present before them the Bible and the
religion of Jesus ; and by rejecting them they will fill
up the measure of their fathers, and die by the sword.
By war, and by war alone, can the beast be reached.
This is the decree of the Lord, and is the portion of his
cup. The power of the beast was of Satan — the dragon

34:8 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATIOK".

gave liim liis authority, and it was exercised for evil.
God permitted it, but did not approve.

Closing Eeflections. — 1st. Of all the deeds as-
signed to the army of locusts, from the smoke of the
bottomless pit, or the army of horsemen from the
angels of the Euphrates (ch. 9), to none but the beast
from the sea was given the ignominious work of mak-
ing Avar upon the saints.

How have the powers of this apostate church de-
spised the advice of the Apostle to the Komans (ch. 12 :
14), to "bless, and curse not!" The decisions of their
councils and the pious rescrijDts and bulls of their holy
pontiffs, have been so blended with curses and cursing,
that their anathemas have been made the most pro-
minent part of their proceedings! How have they
disregarded the counsel of the same Apostle to their
church (Eom. 12: 20), "If thine enemy hunger, feed
him; if he thirst, give him drink!" If their enemy
hungered, they imprisoned and starved him; if he
thirsted, they bound and burned him, and literally
heaped coals of fire upon his head.

2d. The Christian church may rejoice that this
beast rose by permission and foreknowledge of God,
not in spite of his power; and that his duration is
limited, and the time of his existence fixed, and the
bounds of his habitation set, over which he cannot
pass. The time draws near when this obstacle to the
reign of Christ shall be taken away.

8d. No true Christian, no one having the spirit of
Christ, will superciliously triumph over a falling foe,
or rejoice in the calamities and captivity of a despair-
ing and prostrate enemy ; nor will they heap insults or
utter ridicule against those whose lot it is to grieve
over the desolations of their friends. But all true
Christians must exult and rejoice that these barriers of
wickedness are broken down, and the power of the
wicked restrained. That God, who is faithful, appears
again to vindicate his church and take account of her
persecutors.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 349

4tli. The wound in the head was felt at the time of
the battle of Constantine and Maxentius, by which the
authority and influence of pagan Eome was transferred
to the Byzantine court ; and the wound, which lingered
for three centuries, was at length healed by the papists
making Eome the capital and centre of their religion,
through which idolatry is again restored.

6th. This beast, in another form, is to survive the
fall of the Catholics, and the desolations of the city of
Eome, which is to be utterly burned with fire, and is
to make open war with Christ, by whom the beast,
under the seventh plague (ch. l4 : 17 and ch. 19), is to
be overcome and go into perdition.

Chap. 13 : 11-18. — Beast from the earth.

Eemark. — The beast from the sea arose, as we have
seen (ch. 10), under the blast of the sixth trumpet, and
with his fall the second woe was finished. It appears
to me, after a careful examination of the text, that this
new beast from the earth arises as the "woe" of the
seventh trumpet, although there is an exception to this,
to wit, the opening proclamation of the seventh trum-
pet, that the kingdoms of this world are become the
kingdoms of our Lord ; but still a great woe is to arise
under that trumpet, so that the symbols of that trum-
pet are fully consistent with the imiversal spread of
the gospel and the rise and destruction of this persecut-
ing beast.

Compare the following quotations from the seventh
trumpet (ch. 11): —

Ch. 11 : Ver. 17. Thou hast ta- Ver. 18. The nations were an-

ken to thee thy great power, and gry, and thy wrath is come,
hast reigned.

Ver. 18. Shouldest give reward Shouldest destroy them which

unto thy servants the prophets, destroy the earth,
and to the saints.

The emblems which announce this 'beast from the
earth' are very different from those which attended the
destiny of the beast from the sea. He is yet future,

850 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC EEVELATION.

for the first beast was to come " before him" (ver. 12),
whose powers he was afterwards to " exercise," and, of
consequence, not having any history to compare with
its emblems, the mode of interpretation will be some-
what varied. Instead of first giving an explanation of
onr emblems, and then delineating these emblems in
history, we must content ourselves with explaining
the prophecy by a careful analysis of the text, illus-
trated with passing reflections.

Verse 11. — And I beheld another beast^ coming up out of the
earth,^ and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Verse 12. — And he exercisetli all the power** of the first beast
before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to
worship the first beast,^ whose deadly wound was healed.

Verse 13. — And he doeth great wonders,^ so that he maketh
fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.

Verse 14. — And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the
means of those miracles,^ which he had power to do in the sight of
the beast ; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should
make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword,
and did live.

Emblems of the- Text. — Beast (see ch. 6 : 8 ; 11 :
7 ; 13 : 1, &c.), the symbol of a politico-religious
power ; organized infidelity.

Earth (ch. 5 : 10), signifies political powers, and
worldly authority.

Tivo horns like a lamb. Horns are the symbols of
1st, strength or glory, 2d, of kings and kingdoms, 3d,
armies, &c., which are the power and defence of king-
doms.

Lamhj the symbol of meekness and gentleness.

1 Dan. 7:8; Mat. 7:15; Eom. 16 : 18 ; 2 Cor. 11 : 13 ; 2 Thes. 2:4;
ch. 11 : 7, and 17: 8.

^ Wild beast.

5 Ch. 13 : 3, and 19 : 20, and 17 : 10 ; 2 Thes. 2 : 4.

b That head which was wounded was one whole form of the beast (see
ch. 13: 3).

3 Gen. 19 : 24 ; Dent. 13 : 2 ; 2 Kings 1 : 10 ; Mat. 24 : 24 ; 2 Thes. 2 :
9; ch. 16: 14.

4 Deut. 13: 1 ; Mat. 24: 24 ; ch. 16 : 14, and 19, 20.

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION. 851

Spahe as a dragon. Speech, and language are the
agents of the will, by which the mind is made known ;
and it is oral or written. The statute laws of a people
are their language, which is written. Habits, customs,
modes and conventional rules, when exercised by indi-
viduals, or submitted to or enforced by fear or hope,
are the language also of those whose will or acts are
thereby expressed.

As a dragon^ proud, idolatrous, wily and deceptive.

Remark. — The description given in the three suc-
ceeding verses, that is from 15th to 17th, although figu-
rative and perhaps metaphorical, does not appear to
be strictly emblematical.

Observations. — After the Eoman Catholic church
or papal beast, which arose from the sea, that is, from
the voice of an agitated populace, has fallen, another
politico-religious system will arise, and be formed from
an entirely different source, the acknowledged func-
tionaries of government. The first is established and
enforced because the popular mind of the nations de-
sired it, and it was sustained by the favor and support
of the great body of the people in those nations Avhere
its^power is lodged; but this beast is the offspring of
those in public authority, without reference to the
minds and will of the great mass of the people upon
whom it is imposed. The first is the offspring of the
people, the other of the government. In the first, the
wishes of the people are consulted, in the latter the
wishes of their governors.

He had two horns like a lamb, and although as-
suming an appearance of Christian meekness and gen-
tleness, it is a false religious power, resembling the
Persians, as described by Daniel (ch. 8 : 8, 20), before
the time of Alexander the Great, except that the horns
of the Medo-Persian empire are described like those of
a ram, while these look like the 3^oung horns of a lamb.
But when he spake, instead of the plaintive, timid
voice of a lamb, he uttered the roar of the proud and

352 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION.

lordly lion. He has two horns, by which we are to
understand that two warlike powers, united in one
head, professing the meekness of the Christian religion,
and supporting a religion in its appearance or faith
akin to that of the Bible, will agree together to support
that religion by such laws as shall indicate a lion-like
temper of mind.

To govern and constrain the conscience, and to en-
force his political religion by law, will be the charac-
teristic of this lamb-looking, lion-like dragon in sheep's
clothing, and the laws of these kingdoms will be mod-
elled after ancient Babylon and papal Eome ; and alto-
gether it will be an image of the Eoman Catholic
beast — not the same, but like it.

He exerciseth. This lamb-dragon will supersede the
papal governments and take the commercial and poli-
tical lead of the world. The probability is, judging
from the former operations of human nature, that the
fragments of the Catholic papal church when that beast
is destroyed, then scattered through the world, will be
collected together, with other bodies of similar affini-
ties, and remoulded into a new beast after the fashion
of the Eoman papal power. But its shape and style
will be new, so as clearly to distinguish it from the
papacy, yet so nearly alike, as to have similar propor-
tions and, certainly, a similar spirit. In other words,
if the papacy, or religious form of some head of the
first beast, is not reinstated, it will institute something
so near of kin to it as to be its image.

It seems a strange prophecy that now predicts, after
all the calamitous experience the world has had of
church legal establishments, it should yet be tried
again ; and still more so, that an attempt should be
made the second time to make the " earth" and " them
that dwell therein" worship the first beast after it has
once been destroyed ! But so it is written, and so it
must be !

He doeth great wonders. It is evident that the reve-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 353

lator kept a distinct idea of a religious power and a
civil one, even wliere tliey are combined. The civil
jDower was imposed upon by means of miracles and
wonders, openly performed by tlie ministers of reli-
gion.

It is clearly stated, without any reservation or
doubt, that actual miracles and wonders will be per-
formed in support of a wicked religion, " in the sight
of men," to such an extent as to deceive governments
into the support of their heresies.

Should make an image. This imposture, which is
thus openly supported by miracles, and which these
powers shall be induced to establish, shall be as much
like the Eoman Catholic religion as an image is like an
individual. It is evidently not the same, although its
outlines, proportions and spirit will be similar ; but it
will not operate to the same end. The people of the
nations, unlike the ancients who established the papacy,
and former idolatries, are not so much deceived as com-
pelled by this beast into compliance with his demands.

To the papists it was given to ' ' make war upon the
saints" (ch. 13 : 7), but this lamb-dragon shall make
war upon him that rideth upon the white horse (ch. 6 :
2 ; 19 : 19), whose name is the AVord of God. The
Catholics, by whose union with civil power the great
beast was formed, are slain by the sword or go into
captivity (ch. 13 : 10). But this beast is to be cast into
a lake of fire burning with brimstone (ch. 19 : 20). It
may be further premised that this is the last of the
beasts, the last of the politico- religious combinations of
the world. It seems that it is to arise in the form of
the lamb with two horns, speaking great things and ex-
ercising great powers before the ten horns, which have
been priest-ridden by the Eoman harlot, will agree to
give it their power, of whom we are yet more particu-
larly to speak (ch. 17). Whoever lives to see the ten
horns (now reduced to seven by the action of the pa-
pacy, and to two by the conquests of the Ottomans),

354 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

uniting by alliance or constitutions, or in pursuance of
legislative enactments, or by decree of councils, or l)y
national deliberative conventions, or by whatever means
they may adopt to express their minds — I say, whoever
lives to see these ten powers unite, to foster any one
religion, aside from the papacy, that religion will be the
beast here alluded to, which is, in ch. 19 : 20, called
the false prophet, and it will be the last of earthly for-
mations of this character ; and they may know that
this long-continued and destructive beast of seven
heads and ten horns is complete, and his end is at hand.
For the alliance will be of short duration, and when
broken, farewell to such shameful things ; they will be
gone for ever.

It is stated that the miracles (verse 13) are done in
the sight of men, and (verse 14) in the sight of the
beast, which makes it appear that the miracles are
performed openly in the sight of friends and foes, by
the ministers of religion and for a special purpose, that
is, to prove the truth of their pretensions ; or else, hav-
ing performed the wonders which they found them-
selves able to do, they took occasion, on the strength
of it, to seize u^Don the patronage of government, and
establish themselves by law, which, having done, they
bring the strong arm of its authority and the physical
resources of government into the support and protec-
tion of their impostures.

Query. Are not miracles always a test of the
truth ? Are they ever performed except by the per-
mission of Grod, in confirmation of a righteous and just
cause ? See the contest of Moses with the magicians
before Pharaoh (Ex. 7 and 8), and the case of the wo-
man of Endor, in 1 Sam. 28. In the former, Pharaoh
requested a miracle in proof of the mission of Moses
(Ex. 7 : 9), which, being performed, he sent to his wise
men and sorcerers, and they performed the same iden-
tical wonders to such an extent as evidently to invali-
date the impression made upon his mind by the works

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 355

of Moses, and led liim to believe that the whole was
the effect of natural causes, or mere juggling, or, at
most, only the works of gods of equal authority and of
similar powers, and so no proof of the mission of the
Hebrew pretender.

In the latter case, it is evident that the work of
miracles would show the woman's connection with in-
visible agents, who were either superior in power and
foresight to men, or who possessed faculties to act upon
elements unknown to men, and to whom an awestruck
multitude might be driven to offer reverence, and thus
be led to honor the sayings of their prophets and minis-
ters. The same was the case of Simon of Samaria (Acts
8), and of the damsel of Philippi (Acts 16).

The simple fact that miracles were performed in pur-
suance of a particular end, is not, therefore, alwaj^s a
proof of the truth or righteousness of the cause they
profess to confirm. From a conviction of this truth,
the Apostle Paul directed the Gralatians (Gral. 1 : 8-9),
that even miraculous visions should not be relied upon
to contravene or invalidate known truth ; and to the
same end Peter, another Apostle of Christ (2 Pet. 1 :
19), held that the ancient Scriptures were more certain
and reliable guides in matters of religion than even
either miracles, tongues, or visions. Miracles, there-
fore, without other proof, are not sufficient to establish
any given doctrine or pretension. They who are de-
ceived by them are inexcusable ; for their testimony
alone is not sufiicient to justify the reception or belief
of any thing, and much less any thing new in religion.

Verse 15. — And he had power to give life^ unto the imag-e' of
the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause
that as many as would not worship the image of the beast'' should
be killed.

^ To give breath.

1 Gen. 2:7; Ps. 135 : 17 ; Hab. 2:19; Ja. 2 : 2G.

b The image of the wild beast.

So6 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC EEVELATIOI??.

Verse 16. — And he causeth all,* botli small and great, rich and
poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in
their foreheads :

Verse 17. — And that no man^ might buy or sell, save' he that
had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his
name.

Emblems of the T^ext.— Killed. To die, death,
killed, &c., have a variety of metaphorical significations.
Death is natural, civil, or spiritual. Spiritual death is —
1st, where, in consequence of the violation of the laws
of Jehovah, relating to religious worship, his favor is
forfeited, and the penalty of his wrath incurred ; or
2d, where a creature is without love or sympathy for
holiness.

Civil death is the case of one who is outlawed, or
who is adjudged to have forfeited the privileges of citi-
zenship. Natural death is the separation of the spirit
from the body, or the annihilation of life.

When this church, or new beast, has secured the
favorable recognition of law, and is established in her
privileges and immunities, she proceeds by conventions
or general councils to promulgate her decrees, which
are the voice with which she speaks, which decrees
have been previously confirmed by the government ;
or perhaps, on the basis of constitutions of political
governments, the church is assembled or permitted to
assemble in convention, synod, or council, and issue
authoritative decrees, which are enforced pursuant to
law. Death will be the penalty of non-conformity.
But not content with tacit obedience and non-resistance,
this church of session, or " false prophet," will establish
a qualification test to ascertain the minds of men. The
great and honorable, the corporator and the stock-
holder, will be obliged to subscribe an oath, or "re-
ceive a mark in their right hand," while others will be

1 Ch. 19 : 20 ; Ex. 13 : 9 ; Job 34 : 19 ; Ps. 49 : 2 ; Eze. 9:4; Zecli, 13 ;
6 : 2 Tim. 3:8; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 6 : 8.

2 Ch. 3:12; ch. 14 : 11, and 17 : 5, and 15 ; 3, and 22 \ 4,
a Except he.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 857

obliged to receive an initiatory mark, either hj incision
or sign, upon their foreheads, for admission to the pri-
vileges, not only of church fellowship, but to the peace-
able enjoyment of the rights of citizenship and the
privileges of commercial and domestic trade.

Or he is to receive upon him the name of the beast
or the number of his name. The name of this beast the
Eevelator has not seen fit to give. He gave the name
of the rider on the pale horse (ch. 6 : 8, and 8 : 11), and
the names of the captain of the locusts (ch. 9 : 11), but
he gives the "number of the beast" in verse 18, which
these receive upon their foreheads.

Yerse 18. — Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding
count the numbers of the beast, for it is the number of a man,*
and his number is six hundred, threescore and six.

The Greek word translated ^'six hundred three
score and six" is xfs-'; and these letters are the Greek
numerals for QQQ, and transferred in English are C H,
X I, S, or S T, that is, Chris or Christen. This is the
number, or arithmetical sum or account of the beast,
and ma}'- be ascertained by counting or considering.
It seems to be given as a conundrum or metaphor.
But what is meant by this number I have not been
able, satisfactoril}^, to ascertain ; and every attempted
solution which I have seen appears to me to be entirely
fallacious. The idle declamation about Roraavit, and
some other assumed words, is so far from "wisdom"
and "understanding," that it appears like a puerile at-
tempt to revive or perpetuate the exploded nonsense
of ancient scholastic ideas. Whether six hundred
and sixty-six sects and denominations will all be ranged
under one general head, and called by one general
name, or what that other name is which includes six
hundred sixty-six other names, who can tell? Or

1 Deut. 3 : 11 ; Ps. 107 : 43 ; ch. 15 : 2, and 17 : 9 ; Dan. 12 : 10 ; Ho.
14 : 9 ; Mark 13 : 14 ; Eom. 8 : 5.

358 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION

whether it shall consist of a council of 666 memberS;
or the representatives of so many original churches and
societies, or whether it shall present a code of laws and
doctrines embracing six hundred sixty -six articles ; or
whether the badge and mark is to be expressed by
"chris," " chrism," or "christen/' or something else.
Whatever it may be, I have not attained u.nto this
" wisdom ;" but it is altogether possible it may be em-
blematical of some era of time, trait of mind, or other
characteristic of the beast. Is it the development of a
principle which originated A. D. 666 7 But whatever
it is, one thing appears settled, that it is a religious
rite or ceremony, and that it shall become, to some, a
badge or test of favor, and a passport to the rights and
privileges of the state. The difiiculty of ascertaining
the meaning of this number or rite appears to lie in the
fact, that it is a private mark which shall be publicly
recognized by decretal or law, the enigmatical con-
struction of which is, unlike other symbols, applicable
to this alone.

Eeflections. There is no power yet that has suc-
ceeded to the spiritual dominion of the Roman papacy.

A. D. 1558. England was at that time a small king-
dom, on an island between the North Sea and the At-
lantic Ocean, surrounded by a cluster of other islands
on the north and west, some of which were nearly as
large as herself This kingdom was then little known
or cared for by the rest of Europe. Elizabeth ascended
the vacant throne of her sister Mary. Two years after,
Protestantism was introduced by Knox, and established
in Scotland, the northern division of the British island,
and the papal authority abolished.

A. D. 1592, the Presbyterian church government
was established in Scotland, and ingrafted on her Pro-
testantism and supported by law.

A. D. 1620, the Puritans land at Plymouth, in
North America, and take possession of the country in
the name of the English.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 359

England obtained, soon after this, important con-
quests in America, Europe, and Asia, either by Avrest-
ing them from the hands of civilized nations, or seizing
upon the feeble commerce and villages of barbarians.
Episcopacy became the established religion of England
under Elizabeth, although not without important and
hazardous struggles afterwards ; and its empire there
is founded in the blood of men slain in battle.

A. D. 1603-7, Scotland, by act of the British par-
lia'ment and her own consent, was united to England ;
and thenceforth the two kingdoms have become one
head, retaining the distinctive features of the tAVO horns
and the two beasts.

In Scotland Presbyterianism, and in England Epis-
copacy, are established by laAv of parliament, and called
Protestantism, which religions are preferred and
supported in all her conquests. But abroad, the Bri-
tish rulers, although they have preferred and patronized
their Protestantism, have never attempted to establish
their religion by law or sword.

At the present time the British sceptre extends over
about 26 millions of subjects in Europe, out of a popula-
tion of 230 millions, but her moral ascendency extends
far beyond the confines of her actual dominion. She in-
fluences eA«ry cabinet of Europe.

In Asia, her sovereignty in India brings her into
direct contact with Persia, China, Thibet, and Si am ;
and some important posts gained in Scind and China,
give her advantages not enjoyed by other nations.

In America and the western hemisphere, the chain
of West India ports, Guiana of South America, and
the Canadas extending across North America, give her
great facilities of commerce and political importance ;
although the conquests of the United States in Mexico
(a. d. 1846-7) have, in a great measure cut off her in-
fluence in the Caribbean and Mexican seas. In the
Pacific and Indian oceans, the Polynesian Archipelago,
under the protection of Great Britain, brings her in

860 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION,

contact with the nations of those isles. So that Eng-
land, at home and abroad, reigns over 160 millions of
the human race, and, although second in population to
China, is, nevertheless, in importance of commerce,
arms, wealth, and political influence, the first nation on
the globe ; and in all these resjDects she has succeeded
to the poAver of the beast from the sea.

Her "Oath," "Test Act," and " Toleration Act,"
show that she can be bloody and cruel, and can enact
that no man, great or rich, shall buy or sell who does
not subscribe an oath or mark his hand. And the
christening of infants upon their foreheads by law shows
that she can mark the " small" as well as the great, the
rich as well as the poor, the free as well as bond, and
call them her own, or hold them in the enjoyment of
citizenship by mere sufferance.

Protestantism, the religion of Great Britain, took
its rise in Germany A. D. 1518, and was transplanted to
England A. D. 1510, twenty years after. Wherever it
can, it takes hold upon the arm of temporal power, and
has often shown itself handling the crimsoned sword
of war, and shedding, in religious persecutions, the
blood of martyrs. Finally, these horns exercise the
transferred power of Eome, under princes of the same
blood. Bat she has not yet assumed or (^btained the
spiritual dominion of the beast from the sea. But with
all this similarity, England, as she now exists, is not
the power intended by the prophecy. Possibly she
may yet join interest with America, Eussia, or France,
or some power not yet developed ; and the policy of
the two nations united together, to whom the territory
of the ten horns may give their power, will yet fully
justify, to the greatest extent, the strong language of
this portentous prediction. Or the two horns which
have survived the shock of Mohammedan conquests and
the tyranny of the papal see, under the blast of the
sixth trumpet, may yet arise to power during the re-
volutions which are to transpire under the seventh

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 861

trumpet (cb. 11 : 18); and po^essing themselves of the
conquered territory of the other eight, and the domin-
ion of the world, they may decree an " image to the
beast, which had the wound by the sword and did live"
(ch. 13:1, &c.), that is, establish the likeness of pagan
idolatry, while at the same time " they shall hate the"
px^po-cy^ and eftect its entire destruction (ch. 17: 16).
Their beginning may have the appearance of a lamb-
like simplicity and innocence, but, having obtained
power, they may exercise it without regard to the re-
monstrances of the strong or the rights of the feeble.
The whole may be done upon the tyrant's plea — neces-
sity— with the sanction of miracles, and in the garb of
Christianity,

CHAPTER XIV.

1. The Lamb standing on Mount Zion with a company of one

HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND SaINTS. — 6. A MESSEN-
GER PROCLAIMS THE GoSPEL. — 8. A SECOND AnGEL PROCLAIMS
THE FALL OF BaBYLON. — 9. A THIRD SHOWS THE PUNISHMENT

OF THOSE WHO WORSHIP THE BeAST OR HIS JmaGE. 15. ThE

HARVEST OF THE FlELD. — 19. ThE HARVEST OF THE YiNTAGE.

Verse 1. — And I looked, and lo, a lamb stooda * on the Mount
Sion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having
his Father's name written in their foreheads.

Verse 2. — x\nd I heard a voice froQi heaven, as the voice of
many waters,'^ and as the voice of a great thunder : and I heard
the voice of harpers harping with their harps.

Verse 3. — And they sung as it were a new song before the
throne, and before the^ four beasts, and the elders -^ and no man

=^ And behold the Lamb standinsr, &c.

1 Eze. 9:4; Dan. 12: 5 : Heb. 12 : 12 ; cb. 7 : 3.

2 Ex. 19 : 16 ; Zech. 9:4; ch. 1 : 15, and 5 : 8, and 19 : 6.

3 Ps. 25 : 14, and 33 : 3, and 144 : 9 ; Isa. 42 : 10 ; Mat. 11 : 25 ; 1 Cor.
18, and 2:4; ch. 5 : 9, and 15 : 3.

•> Four beings and the presbyters.

16

362 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC EEVELATION.

could learn that sopgbut the hundred and forty and four thousand,
which were redeemed from the earth.

Verse 4. — These are they which were not defiled with women,'
for tliey are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb
whithersoever he goetb. These w^ere redeemed from among men,
being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Verse 5. — And in their raoutli w\as found no guile :^ for they
are without fault before the throne of God.

Emblems op the Text. — -Larnh. 1st. Emblem of
gentleness and meekness. 2d. A name or title of the
Messiah.

jSio7i. The same as Zion ; the hill upon which the
temple of Solomon was built. It was the centre or
local head of the Mosaic service, Avhich prefigured the
sacrifice of Christ and the spiritual worship of the
church.

One hundred forty-four thousand. See ch. 7 : 4.

Voice from heaven. The symbol of discussions in the
church.

Waters. Many people, nations, &c. (see ch. 8 : 9; and
13 : 1), principles (see ch. 7 : 17, and 8 : 11).

Thunder (see ch. 4: 5, and 6: 2). Indicative of re-
voluions and invasions.

Harps. The symbols of mirth and joy (see ch. 5 : 8).

Throne (see ch. 4 : 2, &c.) Beast. The Greek word
here rendered beast is ^cocov, that is, seraphim. But
the word in the original, rendered beast, in ch. 13 : 1, is
^TjpLov^ a wild beast or an animal of any kind. Hence
while the reading in the English of King James's ver-
sion is the same, the meaning is very different (see
further ch. 5 : 9, and 7: 11, and 11 : 7).

Virgins. A virgin is a chaste unmarried woman ; as
an adjective the word is applied to any thing pure. It
is figuratively used to represent cities or nations (Isa.
47 : 1 : Jer. 14 : 17 ; La. 2 : 13 ; Amos 5 : 2). It seems,

1 1 Cor. 6 : 20 ; 2 Cor. 11 : 2 ; James 1 : 18 ; ch. 3 : 4, and 5 : 9, and 7 :
17, and 17: 1.

2 Ps. 32 : 2 ; Zeph. 3 : 18 ; Eph. 5 : 27.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 363

in tliis place, to express freedom from moral or idol-
atrous defilement, without regard to sex.

First-fruits are the earliest matured, or the best and
choicest.

Eemarks. — ^These S3^mbols lead us to contemplate
religious scenes which transpired when— by discussions
in the church, as the visible agencies of the Hol}^ Spirit,
which were increased into a great thunder or torrent —
great commotions and revolutions were produced in
Judea, and were at the same time attended Avith the
shout of the redeemed and the songs of the true wor-
shippers, standing with the Lamb and oflPeriug accept-
able worship before the throne of God.

Having completed the vision of the seven trumpets,
and the necessary explanations to make them intelli-
gible to him " that readeth and them that hear the
words of this prophecy," the inspired writer returns to
predict some things which were necessarily omitted in
the preceding parts of the revelation, and, for this pur-
pose, goes back to the beginning of the Gospel dispen-
sation, to show the condition of the saints in another
light from that hitherto given.

In a previous vision (ch. 12) the advent of Christ is
indeed announced, but He represented as a persecuted
child, and the church as a woman fleeing into a wilder-
ness before the face of a devouring serpent, which makes
war upon her friends. But here the Lamb is at the
head of his people. He is standing, and they are with
him.

History. — The history of these transactions is
mostly found in the "Acts of the Apostles" and "Gos-
pels." Some traces, allusions, and corroborating cir-
cumstances are also contained in the "Epistles" and
first chapters of the " Revelation." It is simply this:
After the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
the eleven Apostles, having added Matthias to their
number, were endowed with an understanding of the
nature and objects of the death of Christ, by the special

364 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC KEVELATION.

and visible agency of tlie Holy Ghost. The power of
working miracles was before conferred upon them, in
common with many of the disciples and followers of
the Lord, while he was yet with them, and before his
crucifixion. The only new power which seems to have
been imparted to them by the descent of the Spirit was
one by which each might transfer, through his agency
and consent, a portion of miraculous powers to others.
The labors of the twelve were confined principally to
the descendants of Jacob — first, at Jerusalem and
Judea, and gradually in other parts of the world. Some
believed and were redeemed ; and the love of Christ
was written upon their hearts, and directed their
thoughts and words. By this, many discussions fol-
lowed in the Jewish commonwealth, and their syna-
gogues in other places, which were attended with the
ebb and flow of religious feeling, until a great revolu-
tion was effected, which resulted, as we have seen
(ch. 6 and 8, sixth and seventh seals), in the dispersion
of the Jews and the separate establishment of the spir-
itual church on earth.

Those who are here represented as standing with
the Lamb (see ch. 7 : 13, 14), are those who came out
of the irgraves at his' resurrection (Matt. 22 : 52) ; also
referred to in 1 Cor. 15 : 28, where they are called the
" first-fruits" as in this place (James 1 : 18). Jesus, in
some places, is also called the first-fruits in holiness.

Veese 6. — And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting gospel to preach unto' them that dwell on
the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and peo-
ple,

Verse 7. — Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory
to him ; for the hour of his judgment is come : and worship- him

1 2 Sam. 23 : 5 ; Ps. 119 : 142 ; Mat. 10 : 27 ; Mark 16 : 15 ; Acts 26 :
17; ch. 5: 2; 7: 2; 8: 18.

2 Gen. 1:1; Neh. 3 : 6 ; Ps. 33 : 6 ; 124 : 3 ; 146 : 6 ; Acts 14 : 15 ; 17 :
24.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 365

tliat made henven,and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of wa-
ters.

E^fBLEMS OF THE Text. — Angel (see cli.l : 1, &c.), a
messenger ; a company of men ; the spirit of the age ;
any natural agent or element when employed of God, &c.

Heaven. (See ch. 4 : 2, and 11 : 10, &c.) The king-
dom of God, the church.

Everlasting Gospel to jj reach. Good tidings of eternal
truth to publish.

Earth. Here used descriptively — 1st, of Palestine ;
2d, of any nation.

Loud voice (ch. 4 : 2, and 6 : 10, &c.), symbol of great
excitements and controversies.

Hour of his judgment. The offers of the Gospel and
the promises of mercy are always attended with threat-
enings and proclamations of vengeance. The accepta-
ble year of the Lord is also the day of vengeance of
our God.

Eemarks. — Another angel. An angel is before repre-
sented (ch. 8 : 13) as flying through the midst of heaven
proclaiming the three trumpets of wo ; and this angel is,
in reference to that vision, called " another angel," for
he has another message, that of good will and glad
tidings.

History. — The only messenger of the Gospel who
has ever fulfilled this commission is the Apostle Paul
with his coadjutors, who, according to his commission,
first preached to his own countrymen, and then to all
people (Acts 9 : 15), saying with a loud voice^ Fear
God^ worship him, &c. Let any one compare these two
verses with the commission and life of the Apostle to
the Gentiles, as detailed in the "Acts," and see the
parallel, the striking coincidence. This description in
the Revelation is but a transcript, or rather an epitome
of that in the Acts.

S66 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION-.

Vekse 8. — And there followed another aiig'el,' saying, Babylon
is fallen, is fiillen, tiiat great city, because she made allnations drink
of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Emblems of the Text. — Fallen. To fall signifies —
1st, to ajDOstatize ; 2d, to pass away or be destroyed.

Wine is the fermented juice of the grape. It is
delicious and valuable. Taken in small quantities, it
is a healthful beverage, invigorating the human system,
and exciting to natural joy and moral pleasures. But
if drunk immoderately, it intoxicates and undermines
the health. It is made the symbol, therefore — 1st, of
joy, rectitude, and peace; 2d, of vileness, licentiousness,
and the divine judgments.

Brink. To drink is, figuratively, to imbibe, receive,
or adopt.

Fornication (see ch. 2 : 15, and ch. 13, note 8). The
act of incontinence between unmarried persons, for if
one of the parties be married it is adultery. It is an
emblem — 1st, of spiritual delinquency, infidelity, or
idolatry ; 2d, of any impurity.

Eem ARKS. — After the full development of the Chris-
tian principles of the Gospel, and the erection of the
church, another angel followed [flying in the midst of
heaven], proclaiming an apostacy which should extend
to all nations where the GosjdcI had been or should be
preached.

This apostacy is announced in two words, Babylo7i
and Fornication. Bahylon. The Babylonians were the
first people who persecuted the saints of God with the
avowed purpose of establishing idolatry. This was
followed in the continuation of the seven heads, and is
still continued in the papacy — the body of the beast —
to the present time. The repetition of the words, " is
fallen, is fallen," indicates, in a twofold sense, a moral
defection and a political overthrow. The first of these

1 Isa. 13 : 19 : 21 : 9 ; Jer. 51 : 8 ; ch. 16 : 19 ; 17 : 2, 5 ; 18 : 2, 3, 10,
18, 21 ; 19 : 2.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 367

voices lias already sounded, tlie last is yet future (see
ch. 18 : 1), but near at hand, and a few years will
bring it to pass. Events foreshadowing her desola-
tions are already transpiring, and are evident to every
careful observer. It is to the papacy that this prophecy
refers, and it is afterwards in its proper place (ch. 18)
further illustrated and explained.

Made all nations drink. There can be no doubt, in
the minds of those conversant with the history of
missions and the progress of the Gospel for the last
centur}^, that papal Rome has offered the most steady
and successful resistance to the conversion of the world,
of any combmation of men, or any other earthly power.
The heathen have been strengthened and fortified in
their opposition, blinded in their ignorance, and preju-
diced against the truth, by the misrepresentations of
the emissaries of Rome. These emissaries have, for
the most part, been the direct friends of the papacy.
Some, however, have been found in all parts, who, al-
though not the friends of the papacy, are nevertheless
the dupes of its influence, while acting under other
names.

Of her fornication. Here a cit}^ is represented as
committing fornication, and inducing others, by the
use of wine, into the commission of the same crime,
which symbolically indicates that some nation or peo-
ple, under regulations of municipal order and exactness,
have stimulated others and induced their idolatrous
infidelity, by which they are made to share in the
judgments of God. If the blind lead the blind, both
the dupe and his deceiver will be punished together ;
for even though deceived, they are in the transgression.
Herodias took advantage of the drunkenness of Herod
to procure the death of John the Baptist (Matt. 14 : 8).
So the papists, who are professed Christians, having,
as a church, proved incontinent to the love and doc-
trines of Christ, and forsaken the true God, and joined
themselves to idols, and rested for their support, not

868 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

on the arm of tlieir husband, lover, or friend, but on
the arm of a hostile government ; and then having al-
lured others by their wine — the trappings, worldly
hopes, and intoxicating pleasures of their religion,
forced them into a compliance with tlieir mandates and
decrees, and compelled them to the same sins which
they themselves committed. As Herodias did, so
Babylon has done, and by the wine of her fornication
has made war upon the saints. As prostitutes mingle
poisonous and intoxicating drugs in their wine, in
houses of ill fame, by which the nninitiated are stupefied
and ensnared, so has Catholic Babylon done with the
religion of Jesus, and seduced her votaries to infamy
and crime.

Verse 9. — And the third angel followed them, saying-, with a
loud voice, If any man^ worship the beast, and his iiuag-c, and re-
ceive his marka in his forehead, or in his hand.

Verse 10. — The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of
God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup^ of his
indignation ; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in
the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb :

Verse 1L — And the smoke of their torment^ ascendeth up for
ever and ever : and they have no rest day nor night, who worship
the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark'> of his
name.

Emblems of the Text. — Third angel. This is the
third from the one called " another," in verse 6. For
an explanation of the symbol see chap. 1:1, &c.

Voice^ discussion, &c. (See ch. 4 : 2, &c.)

Wine of wrath. Emblem of divine judgments, &c.
(See ver. 8.)

The Greek phrase, translated "shall worship the
beast and his image," is to ^rjptop irpoaKwel koI ryv

1 Jcr. 44: 4; cli. 18: 4,12.
^ His character.

2 Ps. 75 : 9 ; Isa. 51 : 17 ; Jew 25 : 15 ; ch. 16:19; 18 : &; 19 : 20 ;
20 : 10.

3 Isa. 34: 10 ; ch. 19 : 3 ; Matt. 25 : 41 ; Heb. 1 : 8.
t The character of his name.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC PEVELATION. 369

eiKova avTov, and ma}^ be rendered " the beast even liis
image," which seems preferable.

The plain prophetic threatenings of the above text,
although nndoubtedlj figurative, seem to require no
illustration aside from the declaration that "they have
no rest day nor night." Those who worship the beast
are subjects of this prophecy.

Ee MARKS. — We have before seen (ch. 13 : 11, &c.)
that the wickedness and injustice of men will prompt
them to form another beast when the Eoman Catholic
religion and the papacy shall be no more. But it can-
not be done without a '* loud voice," or great discus-
sions and strong opposition, setting forth its evils and
consequences. Whoever goes into this measure, which
is yet future, although its embryotic outlines may be
already marked, will go into it with a reckless hardi-
hood, incurring the most fearful guilt. But so it is
written, and so it must be. As soon as the pope loses
his spiritual power, there will arise men who will de-
vise another scheme of connecting the religion of Jesus
Christ with political governments (ch. 13 : 13, 15),
which will be even more hostile to the true interests
of piety (ch. 17 : 13, 14) than any preceding folly or
crimes, Avhich his professed followers have been hith-
erto guilty of. This will be followed by seven terrible
judgments, which will be such manifest displays of the
"indignation" and "wrath of God" as for ever after ^
wards to preclude such a disastrous connection, and
entirely wean men from a desire of it ; "for the smoke
of their torment will ascend up," and be as a memorial
or register kept for ever and ever. Will not men be-
ware of receiving the character or mark [Gr. 'x^dpajfia
rod ovofiaro^ avTov] of his name !

Verse 12. — Here is the patience of the saints^: here are they
that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

> Dan. 12: 1: ch. 13 : 10.
16^

870 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

Verse 13. — And I heard a voice from heaven,^ saying- unto me.
Write : Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth ?
yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their
works do follow them.

Emblems of the Text. — Patience (ch. 1 : 9). The
patience of tlie saints and tlie faith of the obedient
should be sustained by the following promise.

Faith of Jesus. Faith is, 1st, evidence ; 2d, belief
or credence ; 8d, truth or substance (Heb. 9 : 1, 7, 83,
&c.) ; or it is, 1st, the evidence of a truth, 2d, the be-
lief of evidence, 3d, the result of belief.

Voice from heaven^ the word of God, the Bible ; dis-
cussion in the church.

Remarks. — Under the dominion of the beast from
the sea (ch. 13, v 10), the saints were encouraged to
patiently confide in God, on the promise that the reign
of the beast was but temporary, although he should
hold his sway over a long and dismal night of dark-
ness, twelve hundred and sixty years (ch. 13 : 5). Here
the saints are encouraged by the prospect that the
"beast from the earth," the lamb-dragon, with all his
violence, is within the power and punishment of God,
and that Jesus and the holy angels will interest them-
selves against him, while the declaration of the "voice
from heaven" announced the blessedness of those who
should die in the religion of the Lord, to which the
Spirit (or a spirit) responded, declaring the nature of
their happiness to consist in a rest from labor and the
enjoyment of the fruit of their work. As the hire-
ling who receives wages and retires to the enjoyment
of refreshing rest at the close of his daily toil, so their
happiness who worship God is contrasted with the
punishment of the worshippers of the beast, who rest
not day nor night.

1 Ec. 4 : 1 ; Isa. 57 : 1 ; 2 Cor. 5:8; Rom. 14 : 8 : '1 Cor. 15 : 18 : 1
Thes. 4 : 14.

2 Job 3 : 17 ; Ps. 19 : 11 ; Isa. 35 : 10 ; 2 Thes. 1:6; Gal. 6 : 7 ; 2 Tim.
4:7; Heb. 6: 10.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 871

Reflections. — No time is stated for tlie duration of
the beast from the earth, when he shall have succeeded
to the power, estate and sins of his prototype from the
sea. But if the estimate in chapter 11 : 15, 18, may be
relied on, his destruction will not vary much from A. d.
2130, and may prove to be the vintage referred to in
the eighteenth verse of this chapter. (See ch. 14 : 18.)
It is highly probable his fall may be the result of
human agency, attended by divine interposition, or the
action of physical inanimate causes, as pestilence,
earthquakes, flood, fire, &c.

It is now A. D. 1849, which, deducted from 2180,
leaves 291 years, or nearly three centuries for the ful-
filment of this prediction. According to the common
era, if we date the crucifixion of Christ A. M. 4037,
then A. D. 2130 will come in 2098 years afterwards,
which will bring it into the date or age of the world
(since the creation) 6130 years. This estimate gives
ample room for the preaching of the gospel to all na-
tions, as announced under the seventh trumpet (ch. 11 :
15), the healing of all schisms, so that all shall see eye
to eye ; the restoration of the Hebrews, and their full
settlement in Palestine ; the rise and fall of this " image
of the beast," and the clear and satisfactory accomplish-
ment of all Scripture predictions, which terminate
prior to the millenium.

Note 1. — Perhaps the sanctity of historical truth
has been nowhere more invaded than in chronologi-
cal dates. These seem so deranged as to admit of no
remedy, only as they are corrected by calculations
based upon the fulfilment of Scripture prophesy, al-
though there is a possibility that further researches in
Asia or Europe may serve to make some corrections.
African monuments may yet reveal, to future travel-
lers, lost or disputed eras,

JSToTE 2. — It may be further observed in this place
that the great ruling powers, formed at first in Egj^pt,
against the religion of Jehovah, and continued in sue-

372 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATIOK.

cessive governments to the present time, are all in
Scripture considered as parts of one grand whole ; and
as forming one great beast, of many heads, directed by
the dragon ; and that each i^, by itself, also represented
as a beast of his own peculiar shape and passions,
while the lesser governments, independent and sove-
reign, which are formed after the same politico-religious
models, are represented as horns, or feet, as they sub-
serve the purposes of war, or support to the grand de-
sign of the whole.

Every government which attempts, by law or bribes,
to give preference to one set of religious opinions over
another, interferes with the rights of the human con-
science, and the direct sovereignty of God, and is held
in Scripture as a wild beast on earth.

Verse 14. — And I looked, and behold, a white eloud,^ and upon
the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a
golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Verse 15. — And another angel came out^ of the temple, crying
with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud. Thrust in thy sickle,
and reap : for the time is come for thee to reap ; for the harvest of
the earth is ripe.*''

'Verse 16. — And he that sat on the cloud^ thrust in his sickle on
the earth; and the earth was reaped.

Emblems of the Text. — White cloud. Cloud is
the emblem of multitude, mystery, &c., and the desig-
nation ivhite signifies purity, &c. (See ch. 10 : 1 ; ch.
2 : 17 ; ch. 6 : 2, &c.)

Son of Man. Having the appearance or authority
of Jesus Christ.

Sickle, a reaping hook, symbolizes destruction.

Loud voice. Great commotions and discussions (ch.
11 : 10, &c.).

TeinjDle represents the place of God's worship, the

1 Eze. 1 : 26 ; Dan. 7:18; ch. 1 : 17 ; Isa. 19:1: Mat. 24 : 80.

2 Joel 3:13; Mat. 13 : 39 ; Mat. 23 : 82 ; 1 Thes'. 2 : 16.
-'' Or dried.

3 Mat. 16 : 27 ; John 5 : 22 ; ver. U : 19 ; ch. 16:1.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 373

cliurcli (ch. 11 : 1) ; the seven angels with the last
plagues came out of the temple (ch. 15 : 6).

Beap — Harvest. To reap and gather the harvest
for preservation signifies protection and care. But to
reap, in the sense of cutting off, symbolizes vengeance
and the infliction of legal penalties, and desolation (Isa.
17 : 5 ; Jer. 51 : 3 ; Joel 3 : 13). The harvest is to the
husbandman the end of the year ; so of nations, it is
the time of their fall, and of the Avorld, the time of its
end (Matt. 13 : 39, &c.). The harvest of the earth is
the annual grain which ripens in summer, and is the
earliest of the year. Harvest is ripe or dried.

These symbols signify, literally, that one like the
Son of Man at first appears, supported by a multitude
of righteous people, and after a "loud voice," or great
discussions from his church, he inflicts great judgments
upon the nations of the earth, probably by desolating
and overwhelming wars.

EE:\rARKS. — When the Eevelator had gotten through
with the descriptions and exjDlanations of the beasts,
and noted the position of the church, following it
down to the consummation of those prophecies, he
returns to open the vast drama of God's judgments
which were to fall upon his enemies through the same
periods, while they werfe revelling in the destruction
of the saints, and ruling, through the power of the
dragon, the prostrate world. The descriptions of these
judgments commence with the 11th verse of this chap-
ter, and occupy the remainder of this and most of the
next six chapters to the twenty-first.

XoTE 1. — How has the dragon exercised and held
his power in the world ?

1st. By imposing a series of superstitious perform-
ances, penances, and ablutions, upon the ignorant, both
in the heathen and Christian world.

2d. By bribes and allurements. In the distinction
of nobility and caste.

3d. By enlisting the law, as an engine of bondage.

874 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION.

under the jDretence of promoting religion and religious
uniformity.

4th. By the endowments of schools where these
superstitions, traditions and castes are engrafted upon
the pride, insolence and degradation of human nature.

Note 2. — Where John was when this vision broke
upon him he does not say. He was upon the sand of
the shore of the sea of glass, or the shore of the isle of
Patmos, when the beast arose from the waters, and
from thence he saw another rise from an opposite quar-
ter out of the earth. After this he looked upon Mount
Sion, and saw the company of the Lamb with their
leader ; and here he looks towards heaven, and the
like of the Son of Man sat upon a white cloud, to whom
a messenger from the temple of [Mount Sion] heaven,
whence came the seven with their plagues (ch. 15 : 5),
projDOsed the ripening of the summer harvest, and the
time for reaping, upon Avhich the "likeness" or " sign of
the Son of man" thrust in his sickle and reaped the
harvest of the earth (Matt. 24 : 30, Mark 13, &c.).

History. — There are so many distinct indications
that this has reference to the wars which arose under
the emperor Nero and his successors, to the reduction
of Judea, the fall of Jerusalem, and the dispersion of
the Jews, that having, in the history of those times
(ch. 6 : 12 ; ch. 8 : 1, 12), frequently referred to them,
it seems to supersede the necessity of a direct reference
to them again. But it may be necessary to state that
two great wars are referred to in the prophetic volume,
which, in violence, and important results, are distin-
guished above all others.

That the dispersion of the Jews is characterized as
a day of vengeance, terrific above any that had pre-
ceded it, no one will be disposed to controvert, who
regards the authoritative declaration of Jesus, that this
w^as a time of tribulation such as had never been before
(Matt. 24 : 21, Mark 13, Luke 21 : 22), or the histories
of all nations, as they stand upon the records of that

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 375

The day of vengeance was to attend tlie publica-
tion of the gospel (Isa. 61 : 2), and the fulfilment of
that terrible declaration is written upon the annals
of the world. (See sixth and seventh seals and third
trumpet.)

Verse 17. — And another angel came out' of the temple which
is in heaven, he also having a sliarp sickle.

Verse 18. — And another angel came out from the altar, which
had power over fire •,'^ and cried with a loud cry to him that had
the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the
clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

Verse 19. — And the angel thrust in his^ sickle into the earth,
and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine-
press of the wrath of God.

Verse 20. — And the wine-press was trodden* without the city,
and blood came out of the wine-press, even unto the horse-bridles,
by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Emblems of the Text. — Angel^ a messenger, &c.
(ch. 1:1).

Temple of heaven. The place of worship, &c. (ch.
4 : 10, &c., and ch. 14 : 14, &c.)

Sickle (ch. 14 : 14), instrument of destruction.

Altar (see ch. 8 : 4, &c). The symbol of safety, re-
fuge and worship.

Fire^ zeal, pestilence, &c. (ch. 4:5; 8:7).

Clusters of the vine. The vine is an emblem of a
people or nation, and the clusters or bunches of grapes
are her cities, armies, &c.

Winepress^ the emblem of slaughter and conquest.

Trodden. To tread upon is to overcome, to insult.
To tread upon one's obligations, is to violate them.

City (see ch. 11 : 1), may symbolize a nation of
which it is the principal city, or an assemblage of na-
tions of which it is the capital. It is possible that it is

1 Ch. 15: 5; 16: 1.

2 Joel 3: 13; ch. 8:5; 11 : 5 ; 16: 8.

3 Ch. 19 : 15 ; Deut. 32 : 32.

4 Isa. 63 : 3 ; Lam. 1 : 15 ; Eze. 39 : 17-21 ; Heb. 13: 11 ; cli. 11 : 8 ;
19 : U.

376 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

only intended in this place to designate a geographical
locality, and Jerusalem may be intended.

Bridle^ metaphor for restraint. Horse-hridles may
be intended either literally or figuratively to mean the
Horse Grate on the east of Jerusalem (2 Chron. 23 :
15 ; Jer. 31 : 40), where Athaliah was slain, and which
is by Jeremiah called " holy."

Furlong (Gr. ardStov)^ a measure of 604 feet. Six-
teen hundred of these furlongs equal nearly one hun-
dred and eighty-six miles.

Remark. — On a review of these symbols, it seems
that on account of certain movements, or a certain
spirit manifested by the church, wars arise, consequent
upon a " loud cry" or great discussions. And com-
motions, wide-spread and alarming, ensue, attended
with pestilence, slaughter and conquests, in which the
enemies of God will be trodden as grapes in a wine-
press, and either that the war will rage with its greatest
fury within a hundred and eighty miles of the city of
Jerusalem, or Avithin that distance of the metropolis
which at that time shall be the head and centre of in-
fidelity and false religion.

Note. — It is possible that this may mean the city
of Rome, and that rejoresentatives and armies from
many nations may, for some purpose, be collected
there.

Observe. — An angel or messenger from the temple
of heaven appears in the open sky, having no cloud
under him, no authority over the people, but commis-
sioned with the sickle of destruction, and is followed
by another who has power over fire or plagues (ch.
15 : 6 ; ch. 16 : 1), who commands the first to gather
the clusters of the vine of the earth. The vintage is
the last harvest of the year, and in it the clusters^ or
societies and armies of the leading politico-religious
nation of the earth, are reaped and trodden in the
wine-press of the wrath of Almighty God, not by the
angel in his own power, or for himself, as we learn (ch.

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC KEVELATION. 877

19 : 15), but by him who first appeared upon the white
horse, at the opening of the first seal (ch. 6:1); and
will reappear as the " Word of God " leading the ar-
mies of heaven (ch. 19 : 11), and taking the beast and
false prophet prisoners, casting them into the lake of
fire. (See the sea of glass mingled with fire, chap.
15 : 2.)

This prophecy is so connected with the threats of
the seventh trumpet (ch. 11 : 15), the fall of the lamb-
dragon (ch. 14 : 10), and the war of chap. 19 : 11, as
to induce the belief that they all predict the same
scenes, all attending the universal prevalence of the
gospel, the return of the Hebrews to Judea, and the
end of the mystery which delays the kingdom from
the possession of the saints of the Most High.

CHAPTEK XY. • .

1. The seven Angels with the seven last Plagues. — 3. The
Song of them that overcome the Beast. — 5. The Temple
OPEN L\ Heaven. — 7. The Vials full of the wrath of God.

Introduction. — Under this vision an entirely new
scene opens. We have beheld the true worship of Je-
hovah established in Palestine (ch. 6 : 2), and the poli-
tical revolutions by which it was effected, through the
instrumentality of warlike empires, until the seat of
that religion was vacated in the dispersion of the Jews,
after which we beheld the continuance of the same
religion under a brighter and better dispensation. We
have also reviewed the irreligious attempts of worldly
and ambitious men to supplant the worship of God by
rival and idolatrous systems, through a long series of
years, both past and future, together with other pro-

378 OUTLINES OF PROPPIETIC REVELATION.

jects of wicked rulers wlio have aimed to destroy the
Scriptures, and them that hold the truth, relieved at
intervals with a view of the progress of the cause of
those wdio fight with spiritual weapons against pomp
and riches, worldly devices and spiritual wickedness.
Under this vision we are shown why the cause of
truth has survived amid discouragements and disgrace,
against unjust and oppressive laws, and in spite of fire
and steel. It is because He, to whom vengeance be-
longs, has been with those who stood up for him,
Avhose names were written from the foundation of the
world in the book of " the life of the Lamb," and com-
missioned his angels to vindicate them. Therefore,
they prevail against the smoke and locusts from the
gates of hell, and the opposition of the world.

Verse 1. — And I saw another sign in heaven/ great and marvel-
lous, seven angels having the seven last plagues ; for in them is
filled up the wrath of God.

Emblems of the Text. — Sign^ a token, example ;
any thing uncommon or strange ; and is here called
"another," with reference to the " w^onder" of chapter
12 : 1.

In heaven. In the church, on earth, which is the
kingdom of heaven (ch. 4 : 2, &c.).

Angels. Messengers or influences (ch. 1 : 1).

Plagues. Evils (Ex. 11 : 1), disposition, or desire (1
Kings 8 : 88), judgments (2 Chr. 21 : 14; Zech. 14: 12).

Kemark. — It was "marvellous" that, from the
church, which is the pillar and ground of the truth,
the repository of love and good will, should emanate
the angels having the plagues. But from heaven fell
fire and brimstone upon Sodom and the cities of the
plains of Palestine (Gen. 19 : 24 ; Luke 12 : 49). ^ And
" fire," or variance, was kindled by the preaching of
the Gospel, and judgments are threatened and every
where attend its rejection.

1 Ch. 11 : 14 ; 12 : 1 ; Dan. 4 : 2 ; 6 : 27 ; Mark 13 : 41.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 379

Verse 2. — And I saw ns it were a"- sea of olass mingled with
fire : and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over
his image and over his mark, and over the nnmber of his name,
stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Verse 3. — And they sing the song of Moses, the^ servant of
God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are
thy works, Lord God Almighty : just and true are thy ways, thou
King of saints.'^

Verse 4. — Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and^ glorify thy
Dame ? for thou only art holy"^ : for all nations shall come and wor-
ship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Emblems of the Text. — Sea (ch. 4 : 6, and 8 : 9,
&c.) The emblem of multitudes of people.

Fire. The emblem of passion, zeal, activity, wrath,
pestilence, <fcc. (ch. 8 : 7).

Harps. The emblems of victory and joy (ch. 5 : 8, &c.)

Beast (see ch. 14 : 3), a politico-religious govern-
ment or organized infidelity. This has more especial
reference to the papacy as the body of the beast (ch.
13: 1).

Image. Likeness, idol. This has reference to tlie
beast from the earth (ch. 13 : 11).

Mark. Designation, oath, bribe (ch. 13 : 17). This
points to those who, loving the praise of men and the
comforts of this life more than they love God, are in-
duced, for the sake of gains and traffic, to connive at
the tyranny of those who will succeed to the power
and authority of the beast from the sea.

Numher of his name. The exact meaning of the word
'^ number," as here used, I have not been able to ascer-
tain. In Greek it is expressed by api^fxh^ and Xfr
that is, the " number of 666." In English, these words

" The sea of glass (ch. 4: 6.)

I Ch. 4: 6; 13: 11-18; 20 : 4 ; Gen. 19 : 24; Eze. 14 : 30 ; Lulce 12 :
4-9.

•i Ex. 15 : 1, 6, 13 : Dcut. 32 : 4 ; Josh. 14 : 7 ; 22 : 4 ; Ps. Ill : 2 ; 139 :
14 ; 145 : 17 ; Hos. 14 : 9 ; ch. 16 : 7.

b SainU, or nations, or ages.

3 Ex. 15 : 2, 7, 11, 15, 16 ; Isa. 66 : 23 : Jer. 10 : 7 ; Zech. 2 : 11 ; Hah.
1:12; Mai. 1 : 11 ; Eom. 15:9: 2 Thes. 1 : 10 ; 1 Pet. 1 : 16.

<^ Or, gracious.

880 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC EEVELATION.

transferred are arithmos and chxis. It carries on the
face of tlie expression simply — 1st, a mark, or religious
designation; and 2d, an arithmetical computation, and
may be the number of original churches, synods or
councils, states or societies, who shall either counte-
nance or support the image of the beast ; or it may be
a date or era of time at which this principle took its
rise, possibly to the scriptural date of the rise of the
papacy — that is, A. D. Q%Q. If so, the papacy has 76
years yet to survive.

Eemaeks. — When the sea was first noticed (ch. 4 :
6), it was clear as crystal ; now, like the sky of a sum-
mer's evening, it is changeable from yellow to crimson,
or tinged with the blast of an evening cloud. The
emblem signifies that the saints possess the kingdom.
They rule above the seas of nations, which, although
heaving with passion, are subdued to their will. These
saints were of both the Mosaic and Christian dispensa-
tions. They had obtained the victory over the beast
with all his heads, and over his image, and over his
mark, and had never complied with any of the number
of his name. They sung the song of Moses under the
terrors of the legal dispensation, saying, " Great and
marvellous are thy works. Lord God Almighty ; who
shall not fear thee ?" and the song of the Lamb under
the Gospel dispensation, saying, " Just and true are
thy ways. King of Ages, who shall not glorify thy
name?" "All nations shall come and worship before
thee, for thy judgments are revealed." But see ch. 20 : 4.

Verse 5. — And after that I looked, and* behold, the temple of
the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened :

Verse 6. — And the seven angels came out^ of the temple, hav-
ing the seven plagues, clothed in pure .".nd white linen, and having
their breasts girded with golden girdles.

1 Num. 1: 50; Dan. 10: 5; ch. 1 : 13 ; 11 : 19.

2 Ex. 28 : 5 : Eze. 44 : 17 ; Luke 24 : 4 ; ch. 1 ; 18 ; 4 : 6. Compare
ch. 14: 15-17.

OUTLIKES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION. 381

Embi.ems of the Text. — Temple^ tabernacle. Build-
ings set apart for the worship of the true God (ch. 11 :
1, 19). The symbol of his people.

Heaven. The kingdom of God.

Opened. Kevealed, manifested, acknowledged, cloth-
ed (ch. 8 : 6), completed, authorized.

White^ pure (ch. 3 : 5), righteous, joyful, &c.

Girdle. The symbol of strength, activity, power
(Job 12 : 18; Isa. 11: 6: 1 Sam. 2:4; 1 Pet. 1 : 18,
&c.) ; and the emblem, like the crown (ch. 4 : 4), may
be varied by the material.

Eemarks. — That part of the temple of Solomon
called the holy of holies, or the most holy place, con-
tained the ark or tabernacle of the testimony, in which,
was the covenant written upon the tables of stone
which Moses procured at Sinai. But the most holy
place is now opened — that is, the church which, under
the twelve hundred and sixty years' reign of the beast,
was lost in the wilderness, is again revealed, and God
appears for their vindication and the destruction of
their enemies. This is yet future; but a few years
more will begin its fulfilment.

Note. — These messengers of the plagues are clothed
in pure linen, from which emblem we remark that
holy beings may become ministers of vengeance as well
as of salvation. God delivered his people by the de-
struction of their enemies, and his mercy to them was
demonstrated in his vengeance upon these (Ps. 136 :
15, 17, 21 ; Eom. 11 : 22). If to judge the culprit, punisli
the guilty, and protect the virtuous, implies contamina-
tion or impurity, as some have said, then may angels
in white be condemned for executing the just messages
of a Holy God.

The dress and girdles of these angels allude to the
customs of the Orientals and the clothing of the temple
service. It will be noted that the angels are repre-
sented as bringing the plagues with them from the
inner temple. A principle which seems involved in

882 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

these emblems is illustrated in Eom. 7:10, &c. When
the temple was opened, these seven angels came out of
the tabernacle of testimony, or court of records, where
testimony is taken and justice decreed in final appeals.
They came forth with commissions as bailiffs, or minis-
terial of&cers of law, to execute sentence upon the con-
demned. Their clothing indicated that ministers of
justice may inflict laAvful punishments upon the guilty,
and remain pure and righteous. Were these the seven
spirits before the throne, and the seven eyes of the
Lamb (ch. 8:2)? and the same as the angels of the
trumpets ?

Verse 7. — And one of the four beasts* gave unto' the seven
angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, wiio liveth for
ever and ever.

Verse 8. — And the temple was filled with^ smoke from the glory
of God, and from his power; and no man** was able to enter into
the temple, till the seven plaj^ues of the seven angrels were ful-
filled.

Emblems of the Text. Oyie of the four leasts. One
of the seraphim (ch. 5 : 10, &c.).

Angels. Messengers, &c.

Golden vials. The emblems of emotions or actions.
But the symbol may be varied by the material (ch. 5 :
8) of which it is made.

Temple. The symbol of God's people, or the place of
his worship.

Smoke. This emblem is used in a variety of senses
(ch. 8 : 5). If one kindles or causes a smoke, which pro-
tects him while it blinds another ; to the former it is
the emblem of protection ; to the latter, of error. Of
such was the cloudy pillar which reflected light to the
Hebrews, and covered with gloom and darkness the
Egyptians. It is the symbol of obscurity, error, pro-

^ Beings or living creatures or animals.

1 Ch.4: 9; 5: 14; 10: 6.

2 Ex. 30 . 34 ; 1 Kings 8 : 10 ; 2 Cbr. 5 : 14; Isa. 6 : 4.

h Gr. ou5eh, Lat. nemo ; i. e.. none were able to enter, &c.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION. 883

tection, glory, &c. Keference is here made to the dedi-
cation of the tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness
(Ex. 40 : 34), and the temple at its dedication by
Solomon (1 Kings 8 : 10). This was from [or by] the
glory of God ; because God was present in his temple.

Kemarks. — One of the seraphim (ch. 6 : 1) gave unto
the seven angels who had with them the seven plagues
(v. 6), seven vials or bowls, to each of them one, full
of the wrath of God who livethfor ever and ever. But are
not the "plagues" and the " vials of wrath" the same
things, and this repetition to show its connection with
the four seraphim ?

No man teas able, &c. The word "man" is added by
the translators. It reads " 7ione teas able.-'' Those who
usually ministered at the temple and stood before God,
could not enter " till the seven plagues of the seven
angels were fulfilled." May we not infer that they can
then enter ?

Of the era of these plagues, we may here ob-
serve that it is difficult to trace a similarity, much less
an identity, between these emblems and any which go
before. They seem to portray a different class of
things, whose epochs are to be sought in the history of
their fulfilment. But they take place after the rise of
the beast from the earth and the fall of the papacy.

\

884 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

CHAPTER XYI.

1. The Angels commanded to pour out their Vials upon the
Earth. — 2. The Plagues follow. — 15. Coming of Christ.

Verse L — And I heard a great voice out of the temple, say-
ing to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of
the wrath of God upon the earth.

Verse 2. — And the first went, and poured" out his vial upon the
earth ; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore* upon the men
which had the mark'' of the beast, and upon them which worshipped
his image.

Emblems of the Text. — Voice out of the temple.
Great discussions and activity among tlie people of God.

Earth. Wordly governments, &c. (see cli. 5:10, &c.)

Grievous sore. Greek eXyo'^^ nicer. The symbol of
vices, scliisms, seditions, and troubles.

Kemarks. 1st. The "great voice" commanded the
seven angels to pour their vials upon "the earth."
The following acts show how the command was under-
stood :

1st. The first poured out his vial upon " the earth,"
from which had arisen the lamb -dragon, which is the
last form of the beast.

2d. The second poured out his vial upon " the sea"
(v. 3), from which arose the seven-headed beast, to
which the lamb-dragon formed the image (see also
ch. 8:8).^

8d. The third poured his upon "the rivers and
fountains of waters" which had been poisoned by the
third trumpet (ch. 8 : 10, 11).

1 Sam. 15: 3-18; Eze. 9: 5; 10: 2; Mat. 13 : 41,42; ch. 14: 9; 15 : 6.

2 Ex. 9 : 9, 10, 11 ; ch. 13 : 14 ; 16 : 17.
"^ Ulcer.

1^ Character.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC llEVELATIOX. 885

•ith. The fourth poured his (v. 8) upon " the sun,"
which had been smitten by the fourth trumpet (ch. 8 : 12).

otli. The fifth poured his (v. 10) upon the seat of
the beast, which is idohitry.

6th. The sixth poured his upon [or into] " the
great river Euphrates" (v. 12), whence the Mohamme-
dan angels arose under the sixth trumpet (ch. 9 : 14).

7th. The seventh poured his into "the air" (v. 17),
which had been darkened b}^ the smoke of the fifth
trumpet (ch. 9 : 2).

Eemarks. 2d. Twelve hundred and sixty years
were allotted to the beast from the sea (ch. 13: 5). His
political dominion is fast subsiding; and his spiritual
influence, by the time our children attain to manhood,
will have gone for ever ; when the beast from the earth,
already in embryo, will arise, with a milder aspect, but
equally fatal to the interests of Christ and bis church,
and directly with schisms and seditions which, to their
policy shall be what noisome and grievous sores are to
the natural bodies of men. The angel of the plagues
will smite them, and the plague will fall upon them
like a shower of rain upon the earth, which, cannot be
prevented, and from which they cannot escape. It
will grow out of their policy, in the nature of things,
as a branch from its root, and be confined to those who
are foolish and wicked enough to attempt another un-
holy alliance of church and state. Yet this will be
done after all the light which unerring history sheds
upon the results of such wicked schemes, and in spite
of the admonitions of experience which has hitherto
warned the pride and cautioned .the heedless ambition
of an aspiring world.

Cannot men be warned ? Will they not regard
the counsels of God ? Is it not a condescension of the
Deity to point out to mankind the results of their con-
• duct, before they have committed irretrievable error?
Here we have distinctly foretold to us, by the unerring
word of divine inspiration, what shall be the conse-
17

886 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

quences of attempting to establish another politico-re-
ligious government. And history, by pointing to the
past, and showing ns the results of Pagan, Mohamme-
dan, and Papal governments, and their obedient and
humble imitators, their feet and horns, sets clearly be-
fore our eyes the disastrous effects of such wicked
usurpations over the minds and rights of men, yet it
will be attempted again. It will be effected. And
evils more terrible, more disastrous, will follow, for so
it is written, and so it must needs be.

Veese 3. — And the second angel poured out his vial upon the
sea ; and it' became as tlie blood of a dead man ; and every living
soul died in the sea.

Emblems of the Text. — Sea (ch. 17 : 15), an as-
semblage of various nations (ch. 4 : 6 ; 8 : 9, &c.).

Blood {oh. 6 : 12, &c), the token of war, usually civil
war.

Living soul is an active man ; one in authority ; a
public officer, either political, spiritual, or scientific.

Eemarks. — When the divisions and schisms of the
government and church of the beast from the earth
shall have taken place, a general commotion of the
nations will follow with destructive, sanguinary and
servile wars, embracing the most powerful nations of
the world, and sacrificing the lives of the most promi-
nent and active men then on earth.

Note. — These things are so nearly like the trans-
actions under the sixth trumpet, that they seem to be
only an epitome of the same events. I feel debarred
from identifying the symbols, because of their connec-
tion with the beast from the earth. (Compare ch. 13 :
11-17 with ch. 16 : 2.)

Verse 4. — And the third angel poured out his'^ vial upon the
rivers and fountains of waters : and they became blood. ,

1 Gen. 7 : 22 ; Ex. 27 : 17-20 ; Ps. 78 : 44 ; Eze. 16 : 38 ; ch. 8 : 8, 9.

2 Ex. 7 : 20, and 8:5; Isa. 50 : 2 ; Eze. 85 : 8 ; Ho. 13 : 15 ; eb. 8 : 10,
and 14: 7.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC PEVELATION. 887

Verse 5. — And I heard the ang-cl of the waters' say. Thou
nrt rijrhteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shall be, because
thou hast judged thus.

Verse 6.— For tliey have shed the blood of saints and pro-
phets, and thou hast gi\ en'* them blood to drink ; for they are wor-
thy.

Verse 7. — And 1 heard another out of the altar^ say, Even so,
Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

Emblems of the Text. — Rivers and fountains of
imter are the symbols of, 1st, marching armies or mov-
ing people (ch. 8 : 11), 2cl, of joj^s, principles, doctrines,
truths, &c. (ch. 6 : 17).

Bloody the precursor and attendant of war. (See
ver. 3.)

Remaeks. — When the drama of political strife is
hushed, a religious war will follow, and the riv(TS and
fountains of water, which were intended for life and
salvation, will be made the occasion of civil and na-
tional wars, which will fall upon the parties as a right-
eous judgment of Almighty God for the persecution
and martyrdom of the followers of Jesus. Those who
engage in the coming persecutions, forcing the nations
to worship the image of the beast, although done in
pursuance of public miracles (ch. 13 : 13 ; 19 : 20), will
do it at a fearful peril, and gain nothing by their wick-
edness but a share in the sufferings and punishments
of their coadjutors. Their afflictions will be pronounced
just and righteous by every discerning mind. Chris-
tians will see it, and glorify God on account of it.
Then it will be seen that when the nations were angry,
his wrath had also come (ch. 18 : 18).

Verse 8. — And the fourth angel poured out his via 1^ upon the
sun ; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

1 Ch. 1 : 4-8, and 4 : S, and 11 : 17, and 15:3; Gen. 18 : 25 ; Ps. 129 :
4; Lam. 1 : 18 ; Dan. 9 : 14; Kom. 2 : 5.

2 Isa. 19 : 26 ; Matt. 23 : 34; ch. 6 : 10, and 13 : 15, and 17 : 7.

3 Ch. 9 : 13, and 15:3; Isa. 6:6; Eze. 10 : 7.

4 Isa. 24 : 23 ; Matt. 14:6; Luke 21 : 25 ; Joliu 4:8; Acts 2 : 20 ; ch.
6 : 12 and 7 : 16, &c.

883 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Verse 9. — And men were scorched* with great heat,* and blas-
phemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues :
and they repented not to give him glory.

Emblems of the Text. — Sun. Eaiblem of the
cliurcli ; spiritual knowledge and trutli ; or, if intense,
it may be zeal, ardor or enthusiasm.

Fire^ the symbol of unwonted religious activity or
natural pestilence, &c. (See ch. 4 : 5, &c. ; 14 : 18.)

Eemarks. — We gather, then, from these symbols,
that soon after these religious wars and disorders shall
subside, the fourth angel [who had power over fire ?
ch. 14 : 18] will pour his vial upon the sun^ or church,
the effect of which will be to stimulate that body to
diligence and ardor, which shall be the occasion of
great offence to her enemies, who will find themselves
wholly without any power to interrupt or impede her
efforts, and they will seize upon the only expedient
left them, which, like the ancient Pharisees, will be to
contradict and blaspheme. The result of the whole
will be, to harden them in unrevenged and impotent
wrath, bitterness of feelings, and deliberate sin against
the name of God.

Note. — God often punishes- the wicked by leaving
them to commit sin.

Verse 10. — And the fifth angel poured out his vial'^ upon the
seat^ of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and
they gnawed their tongues for pain,

'Verse 1L — And blasphemed the God of heaven,^ because of
their pains and their sores,'= and repented not of their deeds.

Emblems of the Text. — Seat (see ch. 2 : 13), throne,

^ Or burned.

1 Verses 11, 21 ; 2 Kings 1 : 6 ; 2 Chr. 28 : 22 ; Isa. 8 : 21 ; Jer. 5:3;
Dan. 5: 22; 2 Co. 12: 21.

2 Kev. 2 : 13 ; ch. 13 : 2 ; Ex. 10 : 21 ; Ps. 78 : 49 ; Isa. 8 : 21 ; Mat. 8 :
12; 1 Pet. 2: 17.

b Throne of the wild beast.

3 Chr. 36 : 23 ; Ezra 5 : 11 ; Neh. 1:4; Ps. 136 : 26 ; Dan. 2:18; ver.
2-9-11.

c Ulcers.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 389

kingdom, dignity, authority. Satan's seat or authority
in this world is based upon the sinfulness and infidelity
of the human heart which is manifested, 1st, in the
neglect of the worship of Jehovah, 2d, in attention
to false religion, of which idolatry is the most tangible
and popular. This seat was transferred to the beast
from the sea (ch. 13 : 2), to which the beast from the
earth is yet to succeed (ch. 13 : 12) ; and upon this the
angel poured his vial. The seat of idolatry may be
localized at a certain place, as at Pergamos (ch. 2 : 13) ;
then to pour on his seat must be to confound and per-
plex the council or head of the system.

Darkness^ the symbol of distress, perplexity, and
uncertainty or ignorance. (Jer. 13 : 16 ; Isa. 59 : 9 ;
60: 2.) _

Sores^ divisions, strife (ch. 16 : 2), collision.

Kemarks. — When the church shall put forth her
great efforts, the fifth angel will pour his vial upon the
seat of the beast, which, in a spiritual sense, is heathen-
ism, superstition and idolatry [that is, organized infi-
delity], and the whole system and its supporters will
be in doubt and uncertainty, which, added to blind
zeal for its safety, and a totally incompetent provision
for its continuance, will affect them, like the emerods
of the Philistines (1 Sam. 6 : 5), and having learned
the name of the true God, and mistrusting his provi-
dence in it, they will blaspheme his name with a pue-
rile and feeble rasje. But, findino- themselves disarmed
by the preceding vials, by the strength of their anta-
gonists and their own weakness, like fettered swine
they will champ and gnaw their tongues for anguish
of heart. In other words, being committed to a
bad cause, and hardened in a settled opposition to the
Gospel, they will fail to repent of their deeds, and
through the effects of divisions and distrust of each
other, their misery will increase. They will wax
worse and worse, until God will give them up to vile
affections, contempt, and shameful punishments.

890 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC KEVELATION.

Note. — All these things require time for their ac-
complishment. We are now near the close of the
sixth trumpet and the opening of the seventh. It is,
therefore, manifest that the foundation is already laid
for the fulfilment of these plagues. When the train
is once fired, the blaze will run along the whole mine,
and explosion after explosion will succeed each other,
with the connection and certainty that effect succeeds
its cause, and each effect will become the germ or
cause of another as surely and as naturally as one har-
vest furnishes the seed for another.

Verse 12. — And the sixth angel poured out his viaU upon the
great river Euphrates; and the water thereof wan dried up, that
the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

Verse 13. — And I saw three unclean spirits'^ like frogs come
out of tlie mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast,
and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

Verse 14. — For they are the spirits" of devils, working miracles,
which go forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world,
to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Verse 15. — Behold, I come as a thief.* Blessed'' is he that
watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they
see his shame.

Verse 16. — And he gathered them together into a place^ called
in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Emblems of the Text. — Uujohrates {see ch. 9 : 14).
Euphrates signifies fraitful, or that which produces.
It is a river in South-western Asia which flows into
the Persian Gulf, thence to the Indian ocean.

Water dried up. As waters are the emblem of a
people, the overflow of a river might indicate irrup-

1 Isa. 42 : 15 ; Jcr. 50 : 38, and 51 : 32 ; ch. 9 : 14 ; Dan. 11 : 43.

2 Ch. 12 : 0, and 19 : 20, and 20 : 10 ; Ex. 8:2; Ps. 78 : 45 ; 2 Thes. 2

9 ; 1 Tim. 4 : 1 ; 2 Peter 2 : 1 ; 1 John 4 : 1.

3 Mat. 24 : 42 : Luke 12 : 39 ; 1 Thes. 5 : 2 ; 2 Thes. 2 : 9 ; 2 Pet. 3

10 ; ch. 2 : 10, and 13 : 13, and 17: 14, and 19 : 19, 20, and 20 : 6.

4 Mat. 24 : 43 ; Luke 12 : 39 ; 2 Cor. 5 : 3 ; 1 Thes. 5 : 2 ; 2 Pet. 3
10; ch. 3:3; 4: 18.

* Or happy.

5 2 Kings 23 : 29 ; Joel 3:9; Zech. 14 : 2 ; John 5:2; Acts 26 : 14.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 891

tions and invasions (Isa. 8 : 7). So the drying up of
waters is an emblem of an enfeebled, dispirited state,
or of depopulation and destruction of nations and men.
(Isa. 11 : 15, and 49 : 27, and Mor. Ref)

Frogs. Animals wliicli have four feet and a smooth
skin. They live partly on land and partly in the
water. They are of many kinds, most of which utter
loud, disagreeable noises, and were among the Jews
esteemed unclean. They are emblems of impudence
and imposture.

Mouth. Minister or agent (ch. 9 : 17 ; Ex. 4: 16).

Dragon. Idolatry or embodied infidelity (ch. 12, &c.).

Beast. Politico-religious government.

False proi^liet A prophet is one commissioned and
inspired of Grod to foretell future events. A false
prophet is one who falsely pretends to miraculous gifts,
an impostor, any unsound professor of the religion of
Jehovah. But in this place it seems to mean the so-
ciety or corporation called the imp or image of the
beast, and which wrought miracles before him (ch.
19 : 20).

Garments. Symbol of pretensions or professions,
and the emblem is varied according to color or material.

Naked. Nakedness is the symbol of folly, vice, or
desolation (Gen. 8:7; Ex. 32 : 25 ; Jer. 49 : 10).

Hehrew tongue was the language of the Jcavs.

Armageddon. Both the derivation and definition of
this word is disputed. Some, deriving it from Har and
Maged^ make it signify the Mount of the Gospel, or
mountain of best fruits ; while others, referring it to
the Canaanitish word Megiddo, make it mean the place
of arms, or the slaughter of armies, or the accursed
warriors.

Remarks. — River Euphrates. The angel of the se-
cond plague poured his vial upon the sea, as upon an
assemblage of nations united by league and treaty in
commercial relations. The third vial deranged their
religious order, while the fifth sent confusion and dis-

892 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REYELATION.

may to the centre of the government. But this vial
falls upon a specific river, whose waters are dried up
by the vial, and for a specific purpose, " that the way
of the kings of the east may be prepared." For what
purpose is their way prepared ? This does not seem
to imply that the waters are to be exhausted to make
way for others to approach the kings of the east, but
for those kings to pass the river.

The inhabitants of the country about the river are
mostly Mohammedans, — at least their rulers are. They
occupy the seat of the old Chaldean empire. But by
some means, under the influence of the sixth vial, either
by pestilence, disunion, or other cause, their power is
to be broken, which will open a way for the hostile or
peaceful occupation of the country by the eastern kings.
And this " way" or road is made for the great occur-
rences of the next vial, to gather the Asiatic, and pos-
sibly African kings to the battle of Armageddon.

The unclean spirits go forth — 1st, from the mouth
of the dragon; 2d, the beast; 3cl, the false prophet.
These all go with one design — to collect an army to
fight against God.

1st. The dragon fights against God under cover of
idolatry, which, I believe, is supported by law in every
place where it is professed.

2d. The beast fights against God by substituting
religious forms, canons, and commandments for the re-
ligion of Christ. Thus far this can nowhere prosper
without the aid of law.

3d. The false prophet will fight against God by
pretending to inspiration, and assuming the authority
of the Holy Spirit and the credit of miracles, and by
them plays into the hands of both the dragon and
beast. All modern religions which are supported by
law, either in Pagan, Papal, Protestant, or Moham-
medan states, are so blended with their respective gov-
ernments, that the fall of the one will revolutionize
and destroy the other.

OUTLIJSES OF PROPHETIC llEVELATION. 393

As these three spirits go forth with the same de-
sign, so they go forth with equal authority and power ;
the authority of devils and the power of working mira-
cles (ch. 12 : 13). And they are equally successful
wherever they go. All hear, all approve, and all enlist.

Does this prophecy foretell that embassies and min-
isters shall be sent forth by the '^ mouth," or servants
and friends of the great political and religious influ-
ences of the world, to assemble a congress of nations
to provide for the general interests and maintenance of
their systems ; or to embody them into one, and, by an
act of universal religious uniformity, attempt to over-
whelm the worshippers of God by a single blow ?

Behold^ Icome as a thief. Suddenly, unexpectedly, as
he did upon Sardis (ch. 3 : 3). This caution is not
without its import. The seductive appliances of popu-
lar favor and universal toleration of error will, under
this plague, be such as to require the greatest circum-
spection on the part of those whose duty it is to contend
for the truth, or they will be allowed by a false charity
to connive at and indulge the errors of others, and so
become partakers of other men's sins.

And he gathered them. The grammatical construction
of this sentence is changed. It was said (verse 14) that
three spirits go forth to gather the world to battle, but
here a singular pronoun is used, as if one of them, or
some one else alone, led the army when mustered ; and
in the description of the battle (ch. 19 : 19) the beast
is given the front and pre-eminence, and is the first
taken in the conflict. This may be a mistake, as the
rendering may be "they gathered" for " he gathered."
The narrative is here broken off, and resumed again in
ch. 19:19.

Armageddon. Greek 'ApfzayehScov. There are three
places in the Old Testament referred to by the name
of Megiddo, a city (Josh. 17 : 11), a valley (2 Chr. 35 :
22), and a lake or brook (Judges 5 : 19). The city fell
to the lot of Manasseh, on the division of the Holy
17^^

894 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Land; and it is possible that a universal synod or
world's convention ma}^ assemble here, by authority or
request of the idolatrous and politico-religious interests
of the earth, and here be met or followed by the vial
of the seventh plague.

But as no reference may be made to Megiddo, in
Canaan, for the place of assembling, the meaning may
be that they shall be collected together at some place,
where their designs shall be defeated, their hopes frus-
trated, their councils thwarted, and themselves dis-
persed or destroyed.

Verse 17. — And the seventh angel poured out' his vial into the
air ; and there eame n great voiee out of the temple of heaven, from
the throne, saying, It is done.

Verse 18. — And there were voices, and thunders,^ and light-
nings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since
men were upon tlie earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

Verse ]9. — And the great city was divided into^ three parts,
and the cities of the nations fell : and great Babylon came in re-
membrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the
fierceness of his wrath.

Verse 20. — -And every island fled away, and^ the mountains
were not found.

Verse 2L — And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven,
every stone^ about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed
God because of the plague of the hail ; for the plague thereof was
exceeding great.

Emblems of the Text. — Air is the symbol of the
principles or rudiments of religion, science, &c., (see
ch. 9).

Temple of Heaven. The seat of worship (ch. 11 : 19).

Throne. The einblem of power, authority, dignity,
honor, and judgment (see ch. 4: 2, &c.).

1 Ch. 10 : 6, and 14 : 17, and 21:6; Dan. 12:7; John 19 : 30 ; Eph. 2 : 2.

2 Isa. 51 : 17-22 ; Jer. 25 : 15 ; ch. 4: 5, and 8 : 5, und 11 : 13-19, and
: 8-10, and 17 : 18, and 18: 5.

3 Isa. 49 : 26 ; Jer. 25 : 16 ; Dan. 4 : 80 ; ch. 14 : 8, and 17 : 18, and 18 :
and 19 : 21.

4 Ch. 6 : 14, and 20 : 11 ; Isa. 2:14; Jer. 4 : 23.

5 Ch. 8: 7, and 11 : 19, and 16: 9-11 ; Ex. 9 : 23 ; Josh 10: 11; Isa.

• 9.C\ • 'Ft'A ^9.• 11 nnri .^8 • 91

30 : 30 ; Eze. 13 : 11, and 38 : 21.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 395

It is done. So said Jesus upon the cross (John 19 : 30).

Voices. Discussions, debates, &c. (ch. 4 : 2, and
11:10).

Thunders (ch. 6 : 2, and 14 : 1). Kevolutions,
wars.

Ligldnings (ch. 4 : 5, &c.), the emblems of edicts and
proclamations of an angry and warlike tone.

Earthquake. Political changes, overturning of gov-
ernments (ch. 6 : 12-17, and 11 : 12), uprooting the set-
tled state of society, attended with general devastations.

City. The centre or capital (ch. 11 : 2), the emblem
of a society, a people, or nation.

Cup is the symbol of — 1st, the means or measures;
2d, the verdict or judgment ; and 3d, the decree or
sentence (Ps. 75 : 8 ; Isa. 51:17; Jer. 51 : 7 ; 1 Cor. 10 : 21).

Wine (see ch. 14 : 8). Symbol of — 1st, joy, peace ;
2d, vileness, wickedness ; 3d, punishments and divine
judgments; 4th, that which is the choicest or most
valuable.

Island. Cities, towns, markets, posts (ch. 6 : 12, 17).

Mountains. 1st, governments; 2d, fortresses.

Hail (ch. 8 : 7). The symbol of any element of de-
struction, as anger, fire, sword, or vengeance inflicted
by any sudden or violent action.

Talent. Its weight varied at different times from 46
to 92 pounds avoirdupois.

Heaven. The place of God's presence and worship,
the church.

On a review of these emblems, we may judge that,
in its appointed time, by a recurrence to first princi-
ples, after a gi'eat controversy, a general and lasting
revolution will be effected, attended with desolations
and warlike and angry violence, in which the then ex-
isting order of things will pass away. In this great
movement, the principles of the Gospel will form a
conspicuous element of destruction, overwhelming and
breaking down the politico-religious establishments of
the times. National religious establishments, and false

396 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION".

religions, which have hitherto maintained towards each
other the order and peace of a well-regulated city, were
now arrayed in hostile factions and divided into par-
ties, and the whole existing order of things "passed
away," and were succeeded (ch, 19) by the triumphant
establishment of the reign of Christ. Against this
movement, which, like an earthquake, should break up
the very foundations, the enemies of God could oppose
no barrier, for it should come upon them like a crush-
ing storm of hail, and whoever should attempt to stay
its force would be exposed, without shelter, to its fury
and destruction. As hail cuts the leaves of the forest,
and breaks down the ripening harvest, destroying the
hopes of the husbandman, so sudden changes and
counter-revolutions break down public men.

Remarks. — (v. 19) : Great Babylon came into remem-
brance^ &c. To arrive at a correct understanding of this
sentence, it is necessary that we discover and illustrate
clearly the meaning of the leading symbol which is
contained in the words "Great Babylon." On this
phrase depends the whole construction of the sentence.

1st. We ma}^ suppose that Babylon the great, or
great Babylon, is so called, in distinction from Babylon
the less, or a smaller Babylon.

The word itself signifies confusion or mixture, to
which some historically added "dispersion," from the
fact that some ambitious men, soon after the general
deluge, descended from Mount Ararat to the plains of
Shina or China, near the river Euphrates, and there
determined to settle, and build a city and a tower,
whose top should reach the heavens, rising above the
waters of another flood ; and said they, "let us make
to ourselves a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon
the whole earth." With these avowed designs, and
probably with the secret determination to conquer and
subject any families who might attempt to move from
their control, they entered upon the vigorous prosecu-
tion of their work. If one object of these men was to

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 397

build a tower upon wbicli to secure themselves from
another flood, it was evidently both in defiance of the
power and promise of God, who had said he would not
again drown the earth. The Lord disapproving their
object, confounded their language, and thus frustrated
their general plans (Gen. 11). But Nimrod, the son
of Gush, undertook, on the same spot (ch. 6 : 3), to erect
a mighty cit}^, which was, centuries afterwards, proudly
accomplished by Nebuchadnezzar. Under the splen-
dor of his administration, a famous city was completed,
sixty miles in circumference, which was the glory of
kingdoms and the beaut}^ of the Chaldee's excellency
(Isa. 13 : 19).

But this city is not the great Babylon of our
text, because it was conquered by the Persians,
under Cj^rus (cli. 6 : 7, 8), and in succeeding genera-
tions went to decay, and has long since crumbled to
ruins, so that the precise place of its foundations is
unknown.

2d. It cannot be pagan Eome that is here meant,
for that city fell by the policy of Constantine, and was
desolated by the Arians (ch. 9 : 1-11).

3d. It cannot be papal Rome, although built
upon the foundations of the pagan city, for she falls, at
least in political and religious power and influence,
under the shadow of the two-horned beast from the
earth (ch. 13 : 12), and her days wdll have been com-
pleted as much as two centuries before the effects of
this vial are felt.

4th. But there is, however, a sense in which each
and all of these may be intended, and that is that those
who have inherited, imbibed, or adopted their names,
opinions, and practices may be punished on their ac-
count. It was on this principle that Jesus denounced
upon the Jews the guilt of all the righteous blood shed
from the foundation of the world (Mat. 23 : 35). On
the same principle the land of Canaan was given to
Abraham, to be enjoyed by him and his posterity

398 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

(Acts 7 : 5). And on the application of a like princi-
ple, Levi is said to have paid tithes to Melchisedec
(Heb. 7 : 8). Hence also the legal maxim, that what a
man does by another, he does by himself.

Each succeeding government that has copied the
vices of the Babylonians, or performed similar works,
or practised upon the same* general principles, may in
a certain and just sense be called Babylon. If its peo-
ple have increased or diminished in numbers, extended
or limited their power, or been more or less active and
zealous, they may properly be thus contrasted as being
the smaller city or people.

And such appears to be the case in the text under
consideration. Great Babylon is that politico-religious
power which at that time shall stand at the head of the
nations of the earth. It has been before shown (ch.
13) that the beast is a continuation and succession of
governments, the last of which — the beast from the
earth, when eventually it shall receive the accession
and support of the ten horns (ch. 17 : 17), or come into
possession of the territory they formerly occupied
(see note to Scripture compared, ch. 13), will have filled
up fully the measure of earthly vices and national
sins. It will also have exhausted the forbearance of
God, who rising up like one whose memory has been
refreshed by re- examination, will also exhaust upon
them " the fierceness of his wrath," and terminate their-
career.

By the events of this vial, the political and politico-
religious order of things will be entirely changed.
The whole will be swept away. A better state of
things will succeed. Hitherto we have beheld the
wicked waxing worse and worse, seducers multiplying
their deceptions, and each generation of vicious men
becoming more and more bold in iniquity. Govern-
ments which, from the first, were oppressive and cruel,
have, in succession, enlarged their sphere of action
and extended their usurpations, until the sins of their

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 399

predecessors appear as trifles in comparison to theirs.
The moderns have performed feats and deeds of vice
which the ancients did not think of and dare not med-
dle with. But from the symbols of this verse, we are
led to believe that God will so punish the nations of
the earth under this vial, as to deter from such courses
for centuries after (ch. 19 and 20). At the close of the
plague, a brighter morning will dawn upon the earth,
and a more glorious day be ushered in. A benign and
happy system of things will be substituted in the place
of those which shall be removed. But he that hinder-
eth will hinder, until he be taken away.

Eeflections. 1. — From the emblems of the seventh
plague, we are led to look for the most terrible and
widespread combination of afflictions that has ever be-
fallen men since the flood. The whole is future. The
exact manner or scene of its accomplishment is not
told us ; it can only be known by the result. Enough
is made known for our safety, and we do well " to take
heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place."

Great calamities, such as sickness, Avars, famines
and the judgments of God, generall}^ serve to harden
men, and make them fearless, intrepid and desperate.
It is the goodness, love, long-suffermg and mercy of
God, which lead to repentance, humility, and godly
fear. The generation who shall live at the time of this
plague will clearly perceive that the calamities are,
from their very nature, the result of the decrees of
Heaven. Yet, they will not repent, but blaspheme the
name of God, for the very reason that he is the author
of their plagues. In them the scenes of Egypt and
Jerusalem will be re-enacted. The death of the first-
born of Egypt, the destruction of ancient Babylon, the
fall of Jerusalem, and the overthrow of pagan Rome,
are but types of the evils and woes which are to pre-
cede the permanent universal establishment of Chris-
tianity. Then will be heard, Alleluia : the Lord God
Omnipotent reigneth ! Heaven will rejoice. Let the

400 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

saints be glad. But when shall these things be ? and
who shall abide the day of his coming ? We are ex-
pressly informed that in these plagues is filled up the
wrath of God (ch. 15 : 1), and that the mystery of God
shall be finished under the seventh trumpet (ch. 10 :
8) ; and I have shown by reference to other prophecies
(ch. 11 : 15-18) that all these things which terminate
prior to the millennium, will be accomplished by A. D.
2180. Take A. d. 1849 from 2130, and we have 281
years yet to the millennium ; from this take from twenty
to thirty years, for the probable duration of the papacy,
and we have about 250 years for the stirring events of
the seven plagues, allotting to each about 36 years, or
about the time of one generation of human life, or two
generations of active manhood. But it is by no means
probable that each vial will run the same length of
time.

But if, as intimated under chap. 13 : 18 ; chap. 14 :
9 ; and chap. 16 : 2, the number 6Q6 refers to the era
of the full establishment, of the papacy, chronological
errors excepted, we may look to A. D. 1926 as the date
of its termination. According to - this, the Eoman
Catholics have yet 76 years assigned them, and the
vials will be crowded into the space of about two hun-
dred years.

However much we may regret the bloodshed of re>
volutions, they are inseparable from the progress of
truth. The abettors and adherents of error cling so
tenaciously to their vices, that their grasp is severed
only by the sword.

Man is so constituted that this result cannot be pre-
vented, and although the law of God is holy and good,
and the Gospel merciful and humane, the one works
death by the opposition of sinners, and the other kin-
dles the fires of discord, and brings with it the sword
of vengeance and of strife.

If this position is correct, how futile are our efforts
to preserve peace while men are oppressive and un-

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION. 401

just. There is no peace to the wicked. If men desire
peace, they can have it on these terms : 1st. They
must enter into the spirit of the Gospel. 2d. They
must embrace its principles, and practise its precepts.

Keflectioxs. 2. — Ancient Babylon was distin-
guished,

1st. For having entered into an alliance with the
Jews and other nations, and afterwards conquering
and oppressing them (Isa. 14 : 4). So Constantine,
a pagan chief, and afterwards Eoman emperor, al-
lured the Christians to his standard, then compelled
them to submission.

2d. After Babylon had conquered the Jews and
carried them into captivity, and there promoted tliem^ she
attempted to control their consciences by human laws,
and compel them to worship idols, and was the first
who persecuted the saints of God Avith the avowed
purpose of establishing idolatry (Isa. 14 : 13). So the
Roman emperors, after seducing and promoting the
Christians, compelled them to receive and worship
Christian heroes and martyrs, and other idolatrous
relics.

3d. Babylon placed the name of Jehovah at the
head of her divinities, confounding his worship with
the idolatrous service of imaginary and artificial gods
(Dan. 4 : 34 ; 5 : 22). So the papal successors of the
pagan emperors of Rome have done. They have
placed the name of Jehovah at the head of the cata-
logue of their divinities, to which, they have added
Mary, the Apostles, relics, and saints of later times.

4th. Ancient Babylon was distinguished for the
extent of her conquests, the splendor of her court, the
magnificence of her palaces, the riches and luxury of
her priests and nobles, the tyranny of her rulers, and
the abject wretchedness, and the base, spiritless sub-
mission of her people (Dan. 3 : 4 ; 5 : 1). In all this
she is the exact prototype and likeness of papal Rome
and her adherents. (/See Histories.)

402 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

5th. Ancient Babylon stands also distingnislied,
botli upon tlie inspired and profane page of historic
truth, for the number and variety of the calamities
which finally overwhelmed her in complete desolation
(Isa. 18 : 19; Jer. 51 : 41). So the papacy, the apos-
tate spiritual Babylon of modern times, is threatened
with similar calamities, and destined to final ruin. ,

CHAPTER XYII.

L The Judgment of Babylon. — 8. Explanation of the Beast.
— 12. The Ten Horns. — 18. Expla.nation of the Harlot.

Verse 1. — And there came one of the seven angels wliich had
the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither ;^
I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth
upon many waters ;

Verse 2. — With whom the kings of the earth have committed
fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk'^
with the wine of her fornication.

Remarks. — With the close of the 16th chapter, the
history of the church, and the revolutions of the world
which should affect it, had been foretold, under various
emblems, for a period of two thousand years from the
days of the Revelator. This history has been drawn
with a master hand. Every thing is given its due
proportions. Some of it is indeed brief — all of it ex-
act. But we are now to retrace a part of the road we
have travelled over. The object seems to be twofold.
1st. To prevent mistakes about the things intended
in the prophecy. 2d. To show that they are permitted
and controlled by the direct interposition of God.

1 Jer. 51 : 13 ; Nahum 3:4; ch. 15 : 3.

2 Jer. 51 : 7 ; ch. 14 : 3, and 18 : 3.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 403

In this and the following chapter we are favored
with an explanation of the symbol of the beast, and
the mystical import of the words " Babylon the great."

That there should be no mistake about the preced-
ing visions, some of them are here reproduced, with a
variety of new representations detailed with circumstan-
tial exactness, to which literal explanations are added,
so as to render it clear and unquestionable as if he had
first drawn the picture* upon canvas, and then ex-
plained its several parts.

The simplicity and elegance of style in these and
the two following verses, with which the explanations
of this chapter are introduced, are truly admirable.
The first part of verse first is much like the ninth
verse of chap. 21, and the two chapters institute a con-
trast between the whore of Babylon and the Bride the
Lamb's wife ; in other words, between the professors
of the false religion, and the professors of the true.

Judgment of the great wliore. I will show the end or
doom — the evils that are determined against — the fall,
overthrow, and destruction of.

Great ivhore is the emblem of a great city (ver. 18,
and ch. 12 : 1). Great by reason of an extensive com-
merce (ch. 18) ; by being the centre of a politico-reli-
gious influence (ch. 18 : 13-24) ; by being an emporium
of political power (ch.l8 : 9), the head of worldly fashions
(ver. 4, and ch. 18 : 16), great in the prowess of arms
(ch. 18: 7), and great in crimes and vices (ch. 18: 24).
Who is this great whore? She is a mystical city, and her
mystical name is Babylon the Great (ch. 16 : 19 ; 17 :
5, &c.), and is explained to mean those perverted or
prostituted religious influences of the world, which are
called in Scripture idolatries or abominations (ch. 17 :
5 ; Deut. 7 : 26 ; 1 Kings 11:6; 2 Kings 23 : 13).

Sitteth upon many icaters. As waters are the em-
blems of nations and people (see ch. 7 : 17 ; 8: 11 ;
17 : 15, &c.), so here this city, into whose hands this
religious power is concentrated, and by whom it is

404: OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC EEVELATION".

wielded, is represented as sitting npon or in the midst
of a multitude of people, like a ship upon the sea.
She rides upon them and above them, whether in a
hurricane or calm.

At the time of John, this Babylonian power was
centred in pagan Kome. After the time of Constan-
tine, A. D. 330, it was divided between the new and old
capitals, but gradually preponderated towards Constan-
tinople, whose control, during the sixth century, be-
came complete. During the seventh and eighth cen-
turies it was restored or conferred upon papal Eome
(see ch. 13), from whom it has been gradually wrested
by London and Paris, with the former of which cities
the political supremacy continues to this day, although
Rome is yet strong in her religious hold upon the be-
nighted and superstitious minds of her devotees.

Note. — If the Book of the Revelation is a contin-
uous prophecy, and the events predicted take place, as
some pretend, in the order of time in which the visions
are narrated, then, on such an hypothesis, John had
not yet seen the " whore that sitteth upon many waters,"
because there is no vision of her in any of the preced-
ing chapters. Upon such a theory, how can we account
for this familiar manner of his guide ? If John has
seen nothing of this harlot before, why this abrupt in-
troduction to her judgment, before he has a description
of herself? If, in the suppressed voices of the seven
thunders (ch. 10 : 4), or in the beast from the sea (ch.
13), or some other vision, the fact had not been re-
vealed that such a harlot existed, why this uncere-
monious introduction to a description of her end ? On
such a theory this fact cannot be explained, and hence
those who present the theory generally abandon it at
this point. John must have had a view of her before,
and have seen her sitting upon " many waters ;" but
had not conceived her to be a prostituted or apostate
church until carried into the " wilderness" (ver. 3), to
the place God had provided for the chaste bride of

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION. 405

Heaven's King, and the joyful mother of a son (ch. 12 :
5), then persecuted and flying, on account of her vir-
tue, from before the face of the devouring dragon.
But here he saw the change in her appearance. She
was prostituted to the dragon that had sought her life,
and he was surprised (ver. 6), until the mystery was
explained, when he saw through the whole emblem.
The angel was not so excited, because he knew that in
this harlot form she was comj)osed of pretenders who
had united with the church corporation in later times,
either in obedience to an earthly mandate, in hopes of
temporal reward, or some other cause, and whose faith
stood in the Avisdom of the world, not in the power of
God, and they were not of those whose names were in
the book of life.

With ivliom the kings of the earth have coramitted for-
nication. The kingdoms of Europe and the govern-
ments of some other countries (see ch. 13) have liter-
ally united their interests with Rome, as if by wedlock.
Nay, they have betrayed and deserted the welfare of
those over whom they have ruled, and lent their autho-
rity at home, and their influence abroad — their wealth
and military power — to assist and aid the Roman pon-
tiff to enslave and rob the world. Like licentious de-
bauchees, they have literally worked their own people
and families, taxed them, and taken from them the
bread of their subsistence, and lavished it upon the
Roman religion and Romish emissaries, and thus
decked out that bawd, and supported that brothel
of the world.

The inhabitants of the earth made drunk with the luine
of her fornication. As harlots, in resorts of infamy,
treat their paramours with wine mixed with stupefying
and maddening drugs, that with less danger they may
rob them of their money, jewels and apparel, so have
the authors of politico-religious establishments (which
are national and religious confusion), with the stupefy-
ing errors of an apostate and corrupted Christianity,

406 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

made the people drunk, and during the delirium of
their inebriation, taken from them their treasures, beg-
gared their famihes, impoverished their estates, de-
prived them of freedom ; and although robbed, deceived
and impoverished by their craft and devices, yet, like
confirmed drunkards, they thirst for more of that poi-
son that drowns their reason, eats out their substance,
bloats their minds with superstition, fills their mouths
with blasphemy, and their souls with the darkness
and hatred of pride and the corruption of sin.

Verse 3. — So he carried me away in the' spirit into the wilder-
ness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of
names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Verse 4. — And the woman was arrayed'^ in purple and scarlet
color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having
a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her
fornication :

Verse 5. — And upon her forehead was a name written, MYS-
TERY,3 BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF
HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Emblems of the Text. In the sjnrit In a state or
frame of mind for receiving, understanding, and re
membering visions. In a trance (ch. 1 : 10, and 4 : 2)

Wilderness. A waste country (ch. 12 : 6) ; seclusion
obscurity, bewilderment. Woman (ch. 12 : 1, &c.). So
ciety, city, or people ; and by metonymy for the prin
ciples or laws of a city, which are city rules and au
thority.

xSV^ upon. To govern, control, or guide.

Scarlet (see red^ ch. 6 : 4, &c.). Warlike, revengeful.

Beast. Grr. Therion (ch. 11 : 7, &c.). A politically
religious government.

Blasphemy^ &c. See ch. 13.

Golden cup. Cups, vials, bowls, and censers are

i Ch. 1 : 10, and 4:2; Ch. 13 : 1, verses 7, 8.

2 Jer. 51 : 7 ; Deut. 29 : 17 ; Dan. 11 : 88 ; Isa. 66 : 3; Eze. 20 : 30 ;
Ezra 9 : 11 ; Lam. 1:9; Ho. 9 : 10 ; ch. 18 : 16.

3 2 Thes. 2:7; ch. 14 : 8, and 16 ; 19, and 18 : 2-9-16 ; and 19 : 2.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 407

emblems of nearly the same import; and the same
word is invariably used in Scripture. Their leading
symbolical significations are — 1st, religious worship of
any kind, whether true or false (1 Cor. 10: 2L); 2d,
the divine judgments or mercies (Jer. 51 : 7 ; Ps. 116 :
13); and 3d, any principles or delusions; or 4th, a
man's success in life, whether good or bad, which is
called his cup, or the portion of his cup.

Here, then, by these emblems a scene is presented
to us of a city, society, or people, interfering to guide
or control a political government which supports or
carries the society. The government is a warlike and
revengeful power, having seven heads, which has been
before explained (cli. 12 : 3, and 13 : 1) of that succes-
sion of nations which has come in competition, or hos-
tile conflict with the truth, from the days of Moses (Ex.
ch. 2) to the present time.

We must carefully distinguish the society which
controls the government from the government itself.
The emblems represent the woman as distinct from the
beast. Under chapter 12th we saw a woman flying
into the wilderness, a place of seclusion or obscurity —
a state of uncertainty or doubt, which was there ex-
plained of the true church of God. The same church
apparently, but in an adulterous, corrupt, and apostate
form, is again seen, having forsaken her husband and
God, and formed an alliance with human governments.
By this means she has become rich, and is clothed in
royal apparel and soft raiment, but carries in her hand
the seductive cup of her false religion, by which the
nations are seduced and deceived and made drunk, and
by which she has filled the world, both in a spiritual
and literal sense, with harlots, and religious and politi-
cal illusions and abominations.

What is the great lesson of instruction to be learned
from this ? That the persecutions and oppressions of
the state bewildered the church (Ec. 7 : 7), obscured
her doctrines, perverted her zeal, corrupted her faith,

408 OUTLINES OP PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

and united lier to her foes. And these great truths,
which are consonant not only with this prophecy but
with every part of the word of God and the facts in
the case, are, strange as it may appear, contradicted by
the received opinions of the present age and the con-
current voice of the most popular ecclesiastical histories.
Wars, contentions, and persecutions are inimical to the
cause of Christ. Peace, love, and securit}^ favor the
spread of the Gospel and the interests of evangelical
truth. In ch. 13th the beast, in this form, is allowed
1260 years' duration, which is true only of the Roman
Catholics in their union with political power, and of
them it is literally true. No other form of false re-
ligion has ever continued so long in union with the
leading governments of the earth. But the Roman Ca-
tholics have preserved a distinct religious organization,
by which they have controlled the political govern-
ments of the world for more than twelve centuries ;
and during all this time they have been supported by
the governments by the desire of the people, who, all
the while have encouraged the veneration and worship
of images and idols, antl together have constituted the
papal or leopard form of the apocalyptic beast.

John had, from a convenient position, seen the
beast as he arose out of the sea, whose body was
like a leopard [his color not there given — see ch. 13 :
2] ; but in ch. 12, "red," Gr. irvppo^^ and ch. 17 : 3, it is
" scarlet," Gr. koklvov. He heard him speak blasphe-
mies (ch. 13 : 6), and saw his success in making war upon
the saints, during his life, in that form for 1260 years.
John had been near him, and in the midst of his coun-
cils and dominions, and saw what was done. But
being carried away "in spirit" into the wilderness,
where the woman clothed with the sun (ch. 12) had
her place prepared, he finds the woman has become a
harlot and committed whoredom, and was riding upon
the beast from the sea. The woman had not gone into
the wilderness until after the birth of Christ, and it

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 409

was there slie became corrupt, and while there she
forms this unholy and unlawful connection with the
beast, he still having his seven heads and ten horns.
The beast and the woman were in existence, therefore,
long before their union. It is manifest that the beast
and the woman are not the same. Either may exist inde-
pendent of the other. But while acting in concert, by
united councils, they both may be considered as one.
But although united, it is clear they are divisible and
ma}' be separated. When, therefore, we speak of the
papal beast, we speak of him as he has existed during
the continuance of the papacy. As the beast existed
before his union with thcpapacy, in a politico-religious
organization opposed to God, so these governments
may exist, and the life of the beast be prolonged in
another connection or development, when that apostate
church shall have numbered the daj's of her union
with the beast, her 1260 years, and ceased to be.

The ivoman luas arrayed (v. 4). The woman was ar-
rayed in scarlet color, sitting upon a beast of scarlet
color. In the resorts of the dignitaries of the Catholic
church, silver is little esteemed, and gold itself is
thrown into the shade, amid the varieties of costly and
sparkling gems that adorn their clothing, from the tiara
of the sovereign pontiff to the slioe buckles of his var-
lets and slaves. — Addison^ A. I). 1700.

Babylon. In Nahum, ch. 3 : 3, Nineveh is called
the " mistress of witchcrafts and a well-favored harlot."
She was the first, after the fall of Pharaoh, to lay the
foundation in this policy of opposition, although her
time was short, and she had no good opportunity to
impose her religious system upon other nations. But
Babylon remodelled the system, invented further ce-
remonies, and imposed it by law and sword, as her own,
upon the nations which she conquered, if she did not,
indeed, make war with the special design of extending
idolatry. She thus acquired the title of pre-eminent
wickedness. It would far exceed the limits of my de-
18

410 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC EEVELATION.

sign in these outlines, were I to give an historical ac-
count of the mystical Babylon the Great — the papacy ;
— of the indecent and cruel barbarities of a Roman
Catholic auto-da-fe ; of the pernicious and revolting
" lives of the saints," approved of by them ; of the filthy
doctrines and practices called religious " penance and
baptism;" of the wickedness of her courts of inquisi-
tion; of the pederasty of her monks and priests, "for
by the celibacy of her clergy and monks every vice
was fermented" — Gib. ch. 44; of the infamy of her
brothels called hospitals and nunneries; and of the
character of that superstition and depravity fostered
in church and state ; or of the nature of the debasing
ignorance engendered and sustained by her pretended
philosophy. Those desirous of analyzing the contents
of the " golden cup in her hand, full of abominations
and filthiness of her fornications," will have an oppor-
tunity, by reading the history of Europe during the
middle ages, — say from the seventh to the fifteenth
century, or by inquiring into the social and political
condition of modern Catholic nations. Her students
pursuing the limited phantoms of scholastic knowledge
— her stupid congregations compounding with smirking
hypocritical priests for the commission of sins, or sta-
ring at the gaudy display of tinselled drapery — and her
rabble, stultified in the mass, crouching to an episcopal
hierarchy. But I would recommend that time be
spent in the acquisition of more useful science.

Mother of harlots. All acquainted with the history
of cloisters know how to appreciate this prophecy, in
a literal sense, and those who are not, will do well to
seek a purer knowledge.

In a spiritual sense, this is apostacy and idolatry.
The history of the progress of idolatry is unknown,
because its nature is so debasing that no nation has
ever kept a true record of its infamy. But all who
have adopted it have either degenerated into barbar-
ism and lost the arts of civilised life, or had recourse

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 411

to fable to smother or becloud the history of their ori-
gin and fall. But of the Roman Catholic church it is
known that she has fostered all the vices of heathen-
ism, has invented numberless mysteries and ceremo-
nies, created and dignified countless gods and demi-
gods, god-protectors and patron saints, and by persua-
sion or force palmed them upon the world as the
religion of Jehovah and the gospel of Christ. There-
fore the name upon the forehead of this church is " the
mother of harlots, and the mother of the abominations
of the earth." Infidelity to God is the cause of all
moral evil.

Verse 6. — And I saw the woman drunken' with the blood of the
saints, and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus ; and when I saw
her, I wondered with great admiration.

Verse 7. — And the angel said unto me,'* Wherefore didst thou
marvel ?» I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the
beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads, and ten
horns.

Here we have at one view, in a single draft, the
sheet presented before us on which is painted the beast
with the seven heads and ten horns, and the woman rid-
ing upon the beast drunk with the blood of saints, and
drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. We
have before seen the various parts of this portrait, and
their duration and magnitude ; we have considered the
various agencies and influences which they have ex-
erted, and the acts performed by each in its particular
sphere, and now the different parts of the framework
are brought together and the building reared before
our eyes ; and, it may be asked, do we marvel at it ?
Have we read and seen, and do we not yet under-
stand? Here is the sum of the preceding chapter, the
honor and shame of the church, the glory and blight

1 Ch. 13:1; 18 : 24 ; Dan. 7 : 21 ; Ilab. 1:18; Acts 22 : 20

2 Dan. 7 : 2(3 ; Mat. 25 : 34 ; John 17 : 24 ; Acts 15 : 18 ; 2 Tlics. 2 :
3; iPet. 1: 20; ch. 13 : I ; 20 : 12.

* Or wonder.

412 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

of the empires of the world. Let us condense into a
small compass an outline of the AvholC; that at one
view we may see its theory and design.

When Israel came out of Egypt, from under the
dominion of the great dragon of the Nile, under the
opening of the first seal (ch. 6 : 2), on coming to Ca-
naan he joined himself to Baal Peor, the dragon of
Sihon and Amnion, by whom many were seduced, and
stumbled and fell. Israel entered Canaan and imitated
the worship and vices of the nations he had displaced,
and the ten tribes went into captivity by the Assyrians ;
but before their departure, they killed the saints and
prophets, and persecuted all who reproved them.

Judah was now left with the name of the peojole of
Grod. But he apostatized from the true worship, filled
his cities with the statues and images of idolatry, and
burnt incense to the Queen of Heaven. He filled his
cities with the blood of the upright, and his children
went into captivity by the Chaldeans. During their
captivity, the king of Bab3don placed the name of Jeho-
vah at the head of the catalogue of his divinities (Dan.
3), but took no care to obey his commands or imitate
his holiness. The Babylonians were, therefore, the first
who confounded by statute laws the worship of Jeho-
vah with idolatry.

Under Ahasuerus, the Persian, Mordecai defeated
the ambition of Ham an, and obtained the toleration
and preference of the Jewish religion, " through fear "
of whom many people became proselytes (Est. 8 : 17).

At Babylon " the woman" was made to ride above
the people, by the decree of a Sabian. In Persia she
was hoisted over them by the laws of an iconoclast Ma-
gian.

The Jews had been carried into captivity by the
Babylonians. Seventy years afterwards, about 520
years B. c, they were released from the depression of
slavery, raised to the rank of citizens, and permitted
to return to Canaan by the Persians. They seemed

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 413

now entirely weaned from tlieir propensity to idolatry ;
but within three and a half centuries, a large part of
the nation was found willing to second the enterprise
of Antiochus (b. c. 171) ; and idolatry was ingrafted
upon the true religion, and its images worshipped in
the temple at Jerusalem.

In Chaldea and Persia the true religion is ingrafted
upon or supported by others. At Jerusalem, idolatry
is substituted for the true, and a descendant of Aaron,
in the vestments of the temple service, offers sacrifices
to idols. The results of these issues are equally strik-
ing. AYhere the true religion has received the sanc-
tion of the idolatrous magistrate, numbers have pro-
fessed its ceremonies ; but the religion itself has dege-
nerated in their hands to a level with their own. On
the other hand, where the professed worshippers of
God have connected idolatry or any other false scheme
with his worship, they have invariably shown a dispo-
sition to martyr the saints.

In this connection we may remark that Jehovah
never enforced his worship or commanded others to
enforce his worship upon idolaters. But if any volun-
tarily submitted to him, from that time they were not
allowed to depart from him without chastisement ; for
from that time he both claimed and confessed them to
be his.

At the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Pharisees,
who sat in Moses' seat, and ostensibly worshipped the
true God, called in the aid of idolaters to suppress the
infant church. But they did not unite their systems
of religion with each other. The Sadducees were de-
ists, or held opinions bordering upon atheism. The
Herodians seem to have taken what some moderns
term " enlarged and liberal views." That is, they
either h3^pocritically favored each scheme, according to
their interest, or held all schemes in contempt.

The union and concentration of those conflicting
views upon a single point, viz., the persecution of the

414 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

rising church, without compromising their personal
differences or sacrificing one or other of their rehgious
systems, was, I beheve, an anomaly in history, and
has no parallel.

In the administration of Constantine, the Eoman
emperor, the Christian religion was either ingrafted
•upon idolatry or was set up as an independent system,
to which idolatry was afterwards made subsidiary, and
the result was the same as at Babylon and Persia ; a
corruption of the truth.

The Arians brought in a modified scheme, from
which visible idolatry was excluded. These contested
the right of sovereignty, first, in civil commotions,
afterwards in national wars, until the Catholics tri-
umphed, and visible idolatry was ingrafted upon the
pure and spiritual system of Jesus Christ, which fol-
lowed precisely the same natural channel as its prede-
cessors in apostacy, and produced the same results,
viz., shed the blood of the children of Jesus. So that
in whatever way the professors of the true religion
have obtained the aid of the civil magistrate to sup-
port or enforce their views, the result has been either
to corrupt their religion or to shed the blood of the
innocent.

Here, then, is the harlot of the wilderness adulte-
rous and apostatized : 1st, as she is represented under
the Jewish dispensation, incorporating idolatry into
her system, and drunk with the blood of the saints ;
2d, adulterous and apostatized, as represented under
the Christian dispensation, incorporating idolatry into
this system, and drunk with the blood of the sons of
Christ.

The true policy of the Christian is, to be left by all
human governments, with liberty of conscience, in the
enjoyment of his natural rights, without legislative
support or control — to have his religion let alone.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 415

Verse 8. — The beast''' that thou sawcst, was,' and is not ; and
sliall ascend out of the bottomless pit,*" and go into perdition : and
they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, (whose names arc not
written in the book of life from the foundation of the world,) when
they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Verse 9. — And here is the mind which hath wisdom. '^ The
seven heads are seven mountains,^ on which the woman sitteth.

Verse 10. — And there"^ are seven kings: five are fallen, and
one is, and the other is not yet come ; and when he cometh, he
must continue a short space.

Verse 11. — And the beast that was, and is not,^ even he is the
eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Emblems of the Text, — As all tlie symbols of
these texts liave been before explained, a repetition of
them is here omittecL

The beast that was^ and is not, and yet is. We may
remark, 1st, that the beast is not the dragon, because
the dragon gave the beast its power, his seat, and great
authority (ch. 13 : 2), because (ch. 19 : 20) the beast
and false prophet are first taken and cast into the lake
of fire by him that rode upon the white horse, after
which the dragon is taken by an angel, and cast into
the bottomless pit.

But we have before seen (ch. 12 and 13) that the
dragon is infidelity embodied in idolatry ; that the
beast is a politico-religious government, and the harlot
a corrupted or apostate religious organization,

Note. — Each may be considered abstractly or prac-
tically, unitedly or alone. When united, they may
form but one object, although composed of various
ingredients. The religion of a government may be
either idolatry, Judaism, or something else. The reli-

» Wild beast.

1 Ex. 32 : 32 ; Dan. 12 : 1 ; PMl. 4:3; ch. 3 : 5 ; 9 : 11 ; 11 : 7 ; 13 : 1,
•3, 8, 10; 20: 12; 21: 27.

b Greek afiocrcrou, Latin abysso, i. e., abyss.

2 Dan. 12:4; IIos. 14: 9 ; Mat. 13 : 11 ; ch. 13 : 1 ; 18.^
c Or hills.

ii And these or they are seven kings, i. e., the mountains are symbol-
azcd kingdoms.

3 Soercf. on vcr. 7 and 8 ; Dan. 7 : 11 ; Titus 1 : 2.

416 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

gious orders may control the government, or the gov-
ernment them ; and while united, they form but one
thing, yet they may be considered separately, because
they are divisible. So here the connection of a govern-
ment with religion forms a beast, and its religious cha-
racter may be that of the dragon, or that of the harlot.
The beast may be destroyed by a revolution, while the
religion remains among the people, so that the people
might be idolaters or of an apostate religion, although
their religious union with the state were dissolved.
Thus the beast might be destroyed, while the dragon
or harlot remained. So the beast, having once existed
in the harlot shape under Antiochus, by ingrafting
idolatry upon the true religion (b. c. 171) at the time
of John — that arrangement having been abolished — it
did not, in that most offensive and dangerous form,
then exist, although still supported in various shapes ;
but it should afterwards appear, reascending from the
bottomless pit under the supervision of the popes, who,
like Antiochus, would again ingraft idolatry upon the
true religion, which should cause the world to wonder
after the beast; and the consequences to the saints
should be alike in both, viz., they should be given
into his hand !

Seven mountains. So much has already been anti-
cipated in relation to these texts in chapter 13, and sub-
sequent chapters, that the necessity for further detailed
explanation seems precluded.

And there are seven kings. This is manifestly an
inaccuracy in translation, and ought to be rendered
"And tliey are seven kings." The Greek Kal (3aaiXei<;
eirrd elcnv^ is rendered in the Latin of Montanus, ^^ Et
reges septem sunt.^^ With what propriety, therefore, can
this metaphor, thus interpreted by the revelator him-
self, be made to mean, literally, a little knoll or hillock,
of a few rods' surface, used as the foundation of a pub-
lic house ! {See commentators generally.)

Mountain, the revelator informs us, is a kingj not

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION, 417

personally or individually, but officially, or lie could
not make war on the saints, or continue 1260 years, or
^l3e the head of -a beast or politico-religious power ; and
-as such it-is understood to mean not only the territory,
but the moral and physical resources and spirit of a
-country. And it is in tkis sense the term 'king' or
" * mountiiin ' is here used, I have before shown (ch. 13,
:page 146, Scrip, compared) that a revolution which-
merely changes the form of a government does not
• destroy the government itself, or affect its relations
"^with foreign powers ; and that under such changes the
Mghts and obligations of the government remain the
same as before. But these seven heads are not merely
successive forms of government in the same state, but
distinct empires, which rise successively. Five of them
had already existed — one was then in being, and one
•was futr:re — after which arose the beast, which was the
-^'^b:th" in succession, and was of or after the seven.
lS"oTE. — Most writers, who, in theory, hold that the
<?vevelation is a consecutive prophecy^ attempt to explain
these verses by supposing them to mean eight revolu-
tions in the Eoman state, which occur /?^o'/n the days of
Bomulus, seven hundred and fifty years before Christ, Xq
the present time, six of which were before the annihi-
lation of the empire, and two since !

In the interpretation of the symbol of th^^
an^el informs us we are not confined ^ ^^ ^^f^i the
^.ose thmgs which were to trans:^,, I'^^t^Zl o
John ; but look for hve of Ue seven heads [or siven
beasts, for he was then talking of the eighth] in the
history of the then past transactions of the world in
the history of things that IiaqV. taken place before his
time. We ^xe to look- Ifer the head then existing in
the annals of the times then present [why^ also must
have commenced before], and we are to" follow them
down into the future until the seventh should arise
which was not then come ; and \yc are to take this
review of the thinr/s which had h^&ik smn (ch. 1:19) anf*

418 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

tlie tilings which then were, after breaking the seven
seals and sounding the seven trumpets, and according
to some, after the plagues, under some of which they
summon us to judgment 1 Those, therefore, whose
theory confines them, in an exposition of this book, to
a progressive series of historical facts which have trans-
pired since the days of John, and to " things which
were shortly to come to pass," will at least have the
candor to allow that five-sevenths of the heads of this
beast were fallen before the days of John, or else frankly
confess their skepticism of the text.

These seven mountains or empires, as we have seen
(ch. 13), are Assyria, Chaldea, Medo-Persia, Macedon^
Syro-Media, pagan Rome, and Constantinople. The
first five were then fallen. Pagan Rome, then in being,
was the sixth, and continued after this 250 years, with-
out a rival. At the time of John, pagan Rome was
lending her aid to maintain Judaism in Palestine, and
her authorit}^ to suppress the Christian church. A. D.
825, Constantine the Great established the head of his
power at Byzantium, and there laid the foundation of
an empire which superseded ancient Rome, and con-
tinued for three centuries, although the city lingered in
a disreputable existence aifter her credit and power had
failed and her empire ay as taken away ; after which she
was again revived and made the seat of the Ottoman
power ; and still contains a population of half a million.
When Constantinople fell, the eighth head or form
made his appearance in the world, pressing onward in
his allotted career of crime, and filling up the term of
his existence. His history is now nearly written. The
eighth is the papacy, and is of the seven, and goeth
nto perdition. Utter ruin is determined against him.
He is of the seven by succession, by inheriting their
vices, and by meeting their doom.

OUTLINES OF PKOrHETIC KEVELATION. 419

Verse 12. — And the ten horns wliich thou siivvest^ arc ten
kings, wliicli have received no kingdom' as yet; but receive power
as king't one hour'' witli the beast.

Verse 13. — These have one mind, and shall'^ give their povver
and strengtli unto the beast.

Verse 14. — These shall make war with the^ Lamb, and the
Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of
kings ; and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and
faithful.

Ten horns (ch. 5: 6). Horns are tlie emblems of
defence and strengtli. They may protect and offend.
They are here the symbols of ten "kings" or kingdoms,
which were, at some period of time then future, to
make war upon the papacy, which they shall overcome
and destroy, and afterwards shall make war upon the
Lamb, by whom they shall be overcome.

They are distinct from the seven heads npon which
they grew, because they are distinct from the first five
heads that were then fallen. They were also distinct
from the sixth kingdom, which was then in existence ;
nor were they of the seventh, for either they were to
receive their kingdoms all at once or in succession, and
during the continuance of the beast in the papal form ;
for they are to overthrow the papacy (v. 16), and hence
could not be of the seventh head, because the papacy
is the eio'hth which was to succeed the seventh. The

o

papacy was to be supported by four feet, strong, clumsy,
and destructive.

These first seven heads had crowns, and were of the
dragon ; that is, were more tinctured with idolatry than
the body of the beast, or the ten horns. There was also
a two-horned beast to arise, which was to be anti-chris-
tian, and was to be the ninth form ; and these ten horns

1 Dan. 7 : 20; Zcch. 1 : 18-21 ; eh. 13 : 1.
* Oi', no empire as yet.

b Hour, i. e., durintr tlie tune of the wild beast.

2 Isa. 10 : 5 ; Eze. 38 : 10 ; Acts 4 : 28 ; Phil. 1 : 27.

3 Deut. 10 : 17 ; Ps. 2:8; Dan. 7 : 27 ; 1 Tim. G : 15 ; ch. 16 : 14 ; 18 :
8 : 10 : IG.

420 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

were that nintli form which was to destroy the harlot
(ch. 17 : 16), as the two-horned beast from the earth
(ch. 13, p. 351), or else they are to arise during the life
of the ninth, destroy his religion, and be themselves
destroyed by the Lamb.

Great Britain appears now to be fast succeeding, if
not the successor, of the papacy, and may yet, after
some modifications and changes, fulfil the whole pro-
phecy of the two-horned beast from the earth (ch. 13 :
11). Under this ninth form, the church no longer controls
and guides the state, but the state controls and directs
the religious power. This church of the two-horned
beast will be called the false prophet (ch. 19), as in ch.
13 : 14 he is said to work miracles. This anti-christian
church is called a false prophet because she appeals to
the Scriptures, and preaches error in the name of Je-
hovah and of his Son.

The ten horns shall overcome the harlot, but be
destroyed not by him that looked like a lamb, but by
the Lamb himself

These have one viind. They are independent govern-
ments, but a common spirit shall pervade their coun-
cils. They shall be opposed to the Christian religion,
and feel hostile to all who profess it in its simplicity,
freedom, and purity, and either in a congress or
convention, or by treaty, shall agree together to
give their power to the beast. Possibly it may an-
swer the intention of this prophecy to say that, by a
natural impulse, as if by common consent or agreement,
they should be directed to this end. Possibly they
may agree together upon a uniformity of religious ar-
ticles, or, acting in an independent capacity, they may
all hit upon a uniform system ; and, whether by con-
cert or chance, they will be of one mind, and having
destroyed the papacy, will make war upon the follow-
ers of the Lamb, through whose policy and persecu-
tions many shall die in the Lord and rest from their
labors.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 421

Verse 15. — And he saith unto me, The waters' which thou
sawest, wiiere the whore* sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and
nations, and tongues.

The waters are peoples. The whore then sitteth
upon the people, but she sitteth upon a beast (v. 3).
The beast, therefore, is the peoples, and multitudes,
and nations, and tongues. As every beast is an or-
ganic form, so here the people are to be understood in
their organized or collective capacity. It is, therefore,
in their sovereign and general character that they al-
low the woman to sit upon and control them. This is
true of the papacy, and of no other religion ; for
idolatry was ever subservient and submissive to the
civil magistrate, and so will be the religious orders of
the Lamb-dragon : but they will exercise large dis-
cretionary powers.

Vekse 1 6 — And the ten horns which thou sawest^ upon the
beast, these shall hate the whore,'' and shall make her desolate and
naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with tire.

Verse 17. — For God hath put in their hearts to^ fulfil his will,
and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words
of God shall be fulfilled.

Verse 18. — And the woman which thou sawest is that great
city, which reigneth over* the kings of the earth.

The ten horns, which are ten warlike nations, shall
hate the episcopacy of the papal church, in which con-
sists the distinctive feature of the apostacy, because
God hath in his supreme providence overruled their
policy to that end. As Pharaoh, who acted with un-
disguised enmity to Jehovah, was raised up at the
very time and for the accomplishment of the very pur-

i Ps. 15 : 4 ; 93 : 3 ; Isa. 8:7; Jer. 51 : 13 ; oh. 10 : lis 13 : 8.
a Harlot.

2 Job 31 : 31 ; Ps. 27 : 2 ; Isa. 13 : 17 ; Jer. 50 : 42 ; Eze. 16 : 44 ; Dan.
7:5.

b Harlot.

3 Ps. 105 : 25 ; Pr. 19 : 21 ; Lsa. 45 : 27 ; Acts 4 : 28 ; Ja. 1 : 13.
♦ Dan. 2 : 40 : Luke 2:1: eh. 16 : 10 ; 18 : 2.

422 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

pose which, he attempted tq defeat, so these ten horns,
who will agree to give their power unto the beast, with
the design of making war upon the Lamb, shall destroy
the papacy, whom God has devoted to ruin.

Under the comparison of ch. 13 with other Scrip-
ture, it was shown that an assemblage of nations suc-
ceeded to the Eastern and Western empires of Rome,
and that the papacy arose from among them as the
successor of the Eastern empire, but was built upon
the ruins of Western Kome. But in discussing the
" signs of the fall" of the beast from the sea (ch. 13 :
1-10), it was ascertained that the nations of the earth
which had successfully vindicated their claims against
his pretensions, were England, the United Provinces,
Sweden, Switzerland, Prussia, Holland, Russia, the
North American States, and France, to which we may,
perhaps, add Japan, from which empire the Catholics
were expelled during the seventeenth century. Of
these it may be remarked, that as England has so far
succeeded to the succession of the papacy, and recent
religious developments seem to point her out as one of
the horns of the beast from the earth that shall receive
the image of the expiring beast from the sea, she may
not be intended in the computation of the ten horns.
The North American States, since the adoption of the
Federal Constitution, A. d. 1789, and their organization
into a republic, have not borne the character of a po-
litico-religious organization ; and Japan remains under
the religious influence of idolatry. And the majority
of the people of the American republic are far from
favoring episcopacy, although forced upon their notice
under three distinct names.

France, which arose under a spasmodic impulse of
religious and political fanaticism, and overturned her
ancient institutions, appears yet to be cradled and nur-
tured in the papal apostacy.

The woman is that great city of Babylon the Great
(v. 3), which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 423

She is organized religious apostacy, and, as connect-
ed with the beast from the sea, is the episcopacy of the
Koman hierarchy.

Keflections. — A brief outline of events, as they
were unfolded in the progress of the seventh head of
the beast and their influence in the development of the
eighth or episcopal form, may give instruction to the
philosopher and legislator, and in it the contemplative
reader may see the philosophical exposition of that
text of Paul in the Epistle to the Komans (ch. 1 : 21, &c.),
" Because that when they knew God they glorified him
not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in
their imaginations, and their foolish heart was dark-
ened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became
fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God
into an image made like to corruptible man [Jesus,
Mary, &c.], and to birds [doves and winged angels],
and four-footed beasts [sheep, lambs, and asses], and
creeping things." This text, as used by Paul, was a
philosophical account of the state of the idolatrous na-
tions, and the existence of the idolatry of his times, and
is equally true of modern times. In the following re-
view, I wish to present the history of the progress of
the church in two distinct attitudes — first, in her pro-
gress of self-corruption and the consequences of it to
herself: second, in her attempt to call in the aid of the
legal arm for her self-preservation and its consequences ;
and FIRST :

The first symptoms of apostacy are noticed in the
murmurings of the proselyte and Helenistic Jewish
converts against their Hebrew brethren, on the pretence
that they did not receive their share of the distribution
of the church fund (Acts 6). Whether this charge was
founded in the envy of the Greeks or the dishonesty of
the Hebrews is unknown ; the Apostles, however, at-
tempted to remedy the cause of complaint. But a gen-
eral persecution breaking out soon after, the disciples
were scattered, and the fund itself seems to have been

424: OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

dissipated. This was at Jerusalem. The next related
to church ceremonies at Antioch, and consisted in the
question, whether all the followers of Jesus should be
considered as proselytes to Judaism, and submit to the
legal dispensation of Moses. This was decided by the
Apostles (Acts 15), that circumcision should not be
imposed upon the Gentiles, but, by their example, was
sanctioned and retained in the Jewish churches. Thus
a visible wall of separation was raised between the two,
which became the occasion of schisms and divisions in
all the churches where the members were composed
partly of Jewish and partly of Gentile converts. At
Corinth these schisms broke out into open rupture and
parties, recrimination of each other, and abuse of the
Apostles (1 Gor.). In Galatia, the state of the ferment,
serious from the first, now raged to an alarming exteni
(Gal. 2). And soon all the Asiatic churches were af-
fected by this and other questions, which disturbed
their peace and led directly to bitterness of feeling, and
corruption of practice {1 Cor. 14, Rev. 3) and doctrine.
This was soon followed by the churches of Africa and
Europe (ch. 9), and its effects became visible in a de-
pravity of morals, a decay of Christian affection, the
rise of angry passions and mutual reproaches, which led
to open and bloody violence.

At first the Christian religion had been promul-
gated in opposition to public opinion, penal statutes,
and all the secular power. Constantinople made laws for
the protection of the professors of Christianity. It was
then the capital city of an extensive, warlike and com-
mercial empire. In literature, social refinement, com-
merce, and the arts of peace and war, it possessed
the vigorous elements of the leading city of the world.
The laws of Constantinople at first encouraged the pro-
fession of religion by the lures of wealth and prefer
ment, but at length compelled a submission to the '
dinances and rites of the church, by legal pena"' ?^'

and the military arm. But no sooner h^d the dp' ^ ^^?
'^ inori-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC EEVELATION. 425

ty, who had been compelled to submission, acquired
power, than they softened down the requirements of
the truth, to gratify the prejudices of worldly-minded
men. To excite the concurrence and applause of the
vain and careless multitudes of her people, she enjoin-
ed the observance of new and splendid forms and cere-
monies, said to possess a mysterious but beneficial in-
fluence upon the bodies and souls of those who per-
formed them. To gratify the bigotry of some, the su-
perstition of others, and to gain the consent of all, the
typical rites of the Jews, which God had annulled, and
the loose and obscene ceremonies of the heathen, which
Grod had prohibited, were added to the list of observ-
ances, together with a long train of divinities and demi-
gods, which were set up as objects of protection and
worship, or helps to devotion.

They multiplied fast-days and feast-days as bene-
ficial, in some way, to sanctity and virtue (for the pub-
lic or private good were the ends at which they osten-
sibl}^ aimed) ; but in enforcing the observance of these
institutions, they trespassed upon the rights of private
judgment and liberty of conscience. Some of these,
which originally were only permitted for the gratifica-
tion of chiefs and parties, were at length enjoined
upon all. If any dared disobey, they were treated as
enemies of state or church, and the privileges of think-
ing for one's self was denied to all. But human na-
ture, wearied of submission to compulsive hypocrisy,
often revolted against the religious requirements of the
state, and broke forth into armed opposition, or ran
wild with religious fanaticism, which gave ample scope
for the exercise of bigotry and vengeance, or of justice
and humanity. The latter found more to plead, the
former more to practise, their demands.

Secondly. When one of the parties in the church
found themselves in an attitude to enforce their claims
and pretensions by law and sword, they first enacted
statutes for their own self-preservation and protection,

426 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

then turned the power and authority they had acquir-
ed against all who differed from them. Once wedded
to the secular arm, the church tried to compel, by the
penalties of the same laws and the edge of the same
sword with which she protected herself, an acquies-
cence in her mandates, and became even more tyran-
nical than the idolatrous empire she had subverted.
Persecution always engenders and promotes fanaticism
and religious extravagance. The opponents of this
party, maddened by the measures of tyranny and op-
pression which had been judged necessary for self-
preservation, arose in their anger and overturned the
institutions the church had reared. Her followers, no
longer awed by the secular arm, left the religion they
had been compelled to adopt, and either returned to
idolatry, from which they had never been weaned, or
embraced sentiments incompatible either with the
dogmas of the church or paganism, and opposed to both.
Hence new parties were raised up envenomed with the
poison of heresy or the rancor of debate. Each in-
flicted injuries upon their opponents or retaliated, and
each called to their aid the law and the legions of the
empire. There were some who never consented to the
alliance of the Christian religion with the fortunes of
the state. They raised their unavailing voices against
the policy of the majority. In the unholy union of
church and state, they saw the fair fabric of their hopes
crumbling to ruin. They saw that when the church
should become immersed in the schemes of temporal
ambition, her morals would sink to a level with idola-
ters, her prospects would be blasted, and her influence
gone. But the true friends of the church were either
stripped of their fortunes and immured in prison, or
silenced in exile.

But revolutions at the capital, or revolts in the
army or a distant province, again and again unsettled
the empire, and razed the new governments to their
foundations, and the conquered party was outlawed,

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 427

incarcerated, or banished, to plot in remote and obscure
places the destruction of their oppressors. If success-
ful, they returned, and their enemies suffered the chas-
tisements they had inflicted. These changes and re-
verses, instead of teaching moderation or forbearance,
served only to inflame their bigotry, augment their
violence, or exasperate their tyranny. Awed by the
terrors of persecution, the unprincipled flocked around
the standard of the ruling party, which they had de-
serted in adversity, and, to guard against suspicion,
they made up in intolerance and zeal what they lacked
in knowledge and honesty.

But, at length, a party triumphed, for a time, over
all the rest, and seizing the favorable moment of the
popular support, and armed with power, they exerted
their authority to settle permanently their fortunes and
their faith. Their priests were recalled from exile,
their estates restored, and their talents and exertions
called forth to provide against future disasters. This
party consisted of pagans, and those proselytes to
Christianity, who, upon compulsion, had professed the
faith of Jesus. They united the two systems, and
ingrafting idolatry upon the true religion, fastened
both irrevocably to the car of state. Thus armed,
corrupted and fortified, the apostate proclaimed her-
self the true and Catholic church, out of whose pale
there was no salvation, and then pursued the saints
with the ferocity of a leopard, and triumphed and
gloated over, not only her slaughtered enemies, but
over the martyrs of Jesus. Destined again to a re-
verse, she proved the weakness of penal edicts against
the clamors of an ignorant and fickle populace, and an-
other party seized upon the reins of power — the locusts
of another apostate entered upon the fat places of the
empire, and consumed the rich things the universal
church had provided for herself (ch. 9). The philo-
sophical effects of the Arian and Catholic systems were
the same. The Arian degraded his Saviour and God

428 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

to a level with his creatures, the Catholic exalted the
creature to a level with his Saviour and God.

But the Catholic again triumphed, and having slain
those who openly opposed him, he sent out spies and
prowled in secret for his prey. If any questioned the
propriety of his course, or even sympathized with those
that suffered, they fell victims to his rage. He at-
tempted and succeeded in destroying the ties of kin-
dred and consanguinity, and dried up the natural affec-
tions of the heart. If any fled to distant and even
barbarous kingdoms, thither he sent his emissaries, and
dragged them back to the torments of a long and
dreary imprisonment, a mocking and unjust trial, or a
cruel and lingering death.

Both the clergy and civil rulers exulted in the tor-
ments and gloried in the miseries of their victims.
Power and pleasure, pomp and titles, wealth and
blood, made up the religion of the seventh head of the
beast.

But when the government was transferred from the
capital of the East, and restored to Rome, and the ec-
clesiastical had escaped the power of the civil magis-
trate, neither legislators nor rulers themselves could
differ from the dictum of fathers and predecessors,
without incurring the penalties of perjury (for they
were sworn to obedience), and the vengeance of the law.

But experience teaches that the terrors of human
tribunals are insufficient to drive men, who are ac-
quainted with the Scriptures, and established in doc-
trine, from obedience to God. The consequence was,
that some men, pursuing the dictates of an enlightened
judgment, conscientiously differed in opinion and
practice from the religious dogmas and ceremonies of
the church, and at the command of the church were
brought before the civil magistrate and slain. Virtue
and firmness were their crime. Adherence to the reli-
gion of Jesus, opposition to idolatrous innovations, and
testimony to the truth, their offence.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 429

By a pretended favor to the Christian religion, the
world was legislated into the church. When there,
they legislated for themselves, and remodelled the reli-
gion of heaven, and changed the truth of God into a
lie, and reverenced and served the creature more than
the Creator, and glorified him not as God. By doing
this, they enslaved both the people and themselves,
ruined their morals and debased their minds. Thus
Rome prostituted the high position she had usurped
over the world to infamous ends, and obtained from
God the basely pre-eminent title of "■ The Mother of
Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth," and be-
came obnoxious to his judgments.

The church had felt the bitterness of persecution,
and raised her cry, and plead with groans and tears
and blood against its wickedness. She who had fled
into the wilderness from before the face of the dragon
who would have made her childless, even there was
pursued, and wooed and won and married to her
enemies, and put off the bright clothing of the gar-
ments of righteousness for gaudy worldly apparel, the
wealth and titles and honors of state. She apostatized
from the religion of salvation, the religion of her hus-
band and God ; embraced and cherished the idolatry of
the heathen, sacrificed to devils, shed the blood of mar-
tyrs, and prayed to the spirits of saints and heroes, and
the dead bodies and garments of men !

When John, looking" down upon the page of the
future, saw the church corrupted by wealth and intox-
icated with power, transformed from the gentleness of
the lamb into a prowling beast of prey ; and when he
saw the company of the disciples of the meek and cru-
cified Jesus, blending the ferocity of the bear with the
fierceness of the leopard, he was filled with surprise
and wonder. In other words, when he saw that at a
future day, men and nations professing the religion of
the Gospel, the religion of liberty, love and salvation,
enslaving the world, and, under the pretext of propa-

430 . OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

gating and defending the pure and charitable princi-
ples of the cross, committing murders, licensing broth-
els and intemperance, and persecuting the saints of
God, he was astonished at the sight. But when he was
further shown that it was the work only of hypocrites
and pretenders, his amazement ceased. Yet they were
so much like Christians in profession, that they could
be detected only by their fruits ; and by these we may
yet know them.

•

CHAPTEE XVIII.

1. Descent of an Angel, proclaiming the moral fall of Baby-
lon.— 4. The voice frobi Heaven proclaiming her Judg-
ments.— 9-17. The Kings, the Merchants and the Sailors
LAMENT. — 20. The Holy are called upon to rejoice over
her Desolations.

Verse 1. — And after these things I saw' another angel come
down from lieaven, having great power; and the earth was hght-
ened with his glory.

Verse 2. — And he cried mightily with a^ strong voice, saying,
Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation
of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every un-
clean and hateful bird.

Verse 3. — For all nations have drunk of the^ wine of the
wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed
fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed
rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Emblems of the Text. — Angel, a messenger, a
power, an influence or company (ch. 1:1, &c.).

Came down, voluntarily descended. (See ch, 9 : 1,
and 10 : 1).

1 Isa. 60 : 1 ; Eze. 43 : 2 ; Luke 17 : 24 ; 2 Thes. 2 : 8.

2 Isa. 13 : 19, 21 ; 14 : 23 ; 21 : 9 ; 34 : 11-14 ; Jer. 50 : 1-3, 23, 39, 45 ;
51 : 8-37 ; ch. 14 : 8.

3 Isa. 47 : 15 ; Jer. 51 : 7 ; ch. 14 : 8 ; 17 : 2.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 481

Heaven, The church, &c. (ch. 4 : 2 ; 8 : 10, &c.).

Strong voice^ great discussions and debates (ch. 6 :
10; 8:5, &c.).

Babylon (ch. 14 : 8), the persecutor ; an apostate ;
the papacy.

Devils. The various titles given to fallen spirits sig-
nify some peculiarity or disposition of the creature it-
self. As serpent, the observer, the seducer or deceiver.
Satan, an accuser, a malicious enemy or opposer. De-
vil, a falsifier or liar, a calumniator or slanderer.

Wine (ch. 6 : 6 ; 14 : 8, &c.).

Fornication (ch. 14 : 15 ; ch. 13).

Remarks. — The first of these angels was the '' strong
angel," who made proclamation before the opening of
the seals (ch. 5 : 3). The second was a " mighty angel,"
who "came down from heaven" (ch. 10: 1), and the
one mentioned here is the third ; and he came down
from heaven. This angel was formerly of heaven,
which he left and " came down" to the earth, which he
"enlightened with his glory." The removal of the
Jews to Babylon, where they afterwards relied upon
the help of a foreign government, is called in Lamen-
tations, chap. 2 : 1, a " falling from heaven to the earth."
So this prophecy looks forward to a scene that was to
occur when men who had the Scriptures, and were the
worshippers of the true God, should voluntarily relin-
quish their high moral position and advantages, and,
descendiftg, should call in the aid of the secular power
for their own protection, and, pointing out the moral
depravity of the papacy, should, with a " strong voice"
and exciting discussions, show that the episcopacy was
fallen in virtue, and become polluted, and vile, and
malicious, and foul, and hateful ; — the result of which
should be to revive the natural sciences, and throw
great light and glory around earthly governments.

Every historical student must see at a glance, that
the Eevelator had before his mind the great events
which occurred in Europe during the sixteenth cen-

432 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

tur}^, whicli are known as the " era of the Keforma-
tion."

A cage, d'c, of birds. A collection of unclean and
angry birds, shut up in Eome, as in a cage, is a fit rep-
resentation of that people, whom the pope dare not
trust without an army of foreign mercenaries to enforce
obedience to mandates they pretend to revere, and to a
religion thc}^ pretend to believe and love.

All nations have drunk. The religion of the papacy
is every where " the wine of wrath." Forbidding to
marry, and licensing brothels for fornication, are but
cause and effect, and have been twin vices of this
"mother of harlots" in all nations where she has come.
The floodgates of iniquity were opened upon the world,
and all vices made popular, when the episcopacy of
Eome obtained temporal power. Murder, infanticide,
incontinency, adultery, theft, intemperance, and blas-
phemy, were all licensed by this religion, and their
prices, in money, ascertained and established by law,
and both the perpetrators and the public taught that
the fine, deposited with a priest, cancelled the guilt.

Note. — The " Tax of the Sacred Chancery" was,
for an " indulgence" or license to commit the crime of
infanticide, 75. 6cZ., or about one dollar and ninety cents ;
for perjury in criminal cases, 9s. ; for adultery, simony
or sacrilege, 10s. ^d. ; for arson or robbery, 125. ; for
murdering a layman, 75. 6d ; for seduction, 95., and
so on. •. • •-

The merchants of the earth, &c. By the distinctions
Eome has created or fostered in society, she has laid
the foundation for the widest extremes of dignity and
surveillance, of honor and degradation, of luxury and
indigence. Through the costliness of the monasteries
and cathedrals, the pomp and indolence of the priest-
hood and mendicants of the Eoman hierarchy, or the
refinements and splendor of the royalty, nobility, and
grandees of her civil polity, the merchants have been
made rich in the traffic of her merchandise. Through

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 483

the magnificence, superstition and excess of her wor-
ship, various species of manufactures, arts, trades, and
commerce still flourish, and support an immense mul-
titude of artisans and trades. Millions have labored
and toiled to manufacture imagoes, crosses, furniture and
drapery to decorate and adorn the magnificent struc-
tures of this splendid worship, and have lived and died
in penury and abject want, while the merchant princes,
who have monopolized the market, roll in luxury and
wealth. But the spiritual merchandise of " the Church"
has been a source of revenue to those who have
traded in it, unsurpassed by all other traffic. This
trade in the sins and follies, the souls and bodies of
men, which is monopolized by her priesthood, has been
to them the surest income, a fountain of riches, and a
constant means of wealth ; but a bottomless pit of mis-
chiefs, and a perpetual scourge to the superstitious and
confiding multitudes who have trusted them.

Verse 4. — And I heard another voice from^ heaven, saying,
Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins,
and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Verse 5. — For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God
hath remembered her iniquities '^

Verse 6. — Reward her even as she rewarded'"' you, and double
unto her double according to her works : in the cup which she hath
iilled, fill to her double.

Verse 7. — How much she hath glorified herself, and lived de-
liciously, so much torment and sorrow give her : for she saith* in
her heart, I sit a queen,^ and am no wido\v% and shall see no sor-
row.

Verse 8. — Therefore shall her plagues come^ in one day, death
and mourning, and f imine ; and she shall be utterly burned with fire :
for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

1 Gen. 19 : 12 ; Isa. 48 : 20 ; 52 : 11 ; Jer. 50 : 8 ; 51 : 6, 45 ; Zech. 2 : '^
2 Cor. 6 : 1.

2 Gen. 18 : 20 ; Jer. 51 : 9 ; Jonah 1:2; ch. 16 : 19.

3 Ps. 137 : 8 ; Jer. 50 : 15 ; 29 ; 51 ; 24 : 49 ; 2 Tim. 4 : 14.
< Ps. 45 : 9 ; Isa. 47 : 8 ; Zepli. 2:15; 2 Thes. 2 : 4.

a I sita queen, &c., i. e., I am a perpetual ruler, an ' eternal' qu*r
citv (ch. 17: 18).

'5 Isa. 47 : 9 ; Jer. 51 : 6 ; 2 Thes. 2:8; ch. 17 : 16.
19

434 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION.

Emblems of the Text. — Voice from heaven. The
word of God (ch. 14 : 13) ; a discussion in the church,
admonishing all true worshippers of Jehovah to leave
the communion of the Catholics, because they have
filled up the measure of their iniquities, numbered the
years allotted for her sins, and will suddenly be de-
stroyed.

One day (ch. 2 r 10). When the time comes, in a
single "year" they will be irrevocably overthrown.

Eemarks. — Two things are apparent from the con-
struction of the eight preceding verses. 1st. That the
moral fall of Babylon is announced by a messenger
who came down from heaven, by whose power and in-
fluence light is thrown upon the world. 2nd. By a
voice, which still remained in heaven, calling upon the
elect of God to leave her, her iniquities are pointed
out, and her literal fall predicted to be at hand. One
of these voices is from the civil power, the other from
the church, and both originate from information ob-
tained in the word of God.

History. — I will now institute an historical in-
quiry, and enlarge upon the details of those events
which are contributing towards the final desola-
tion of "Babylon the great." Something has already
been said in ch. 16 : but we must here take a retro-
spective view, which will guide our feet onward in the
explanation of the remaining chapters of the book,
and give a more complete connection of the history of
the last three centuries, and a more thorough under-
standing of the present state of the world. A. B. 1518,
a Catholic friar, named Tetzel, entered Germany as a
pedler of indulgences or licenses from the papal see.
He offered them for sale as " the most precious and
sublime gifts of God, which were able to remit every
sin, however great, that any could commit. "Draw
near," said he, "and I will sell you letters duly sealed,
by which even the sins you may h reafter commit, shall
all be forgiven you," He was a man of learning and

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 435

great zeal, and to the powers of a ready speaker he
was able to add the dignity and authority of age. But
he was a man of depraved and licentious morals, great
effrontery and self-confidence. Vast multitudes de-
ceived by his address and eloquence, which were back-
ed by letters patent from the pope, purchased with
money the indulgences tliat were offered by Tetzel and
his brother pedlers in blasphemy. This raised the op-
position of ^lartin Luther, Zuinglius, and others in
various places.

Luther was a German, educated in the Catholic re-
ligion, and a man of general information, tact, and
courage. He was a monk of the order of Augustin,
and at that time a professor at the L'niversity of Wit-
tenberg. Twelve years before (a. d. 1505), Luther had
first become acquainted with the language of Scripture,
by perusing a Bible he found in the cloister of Er-
furth. He assailed the traffic in indulgences by the
Word of God. From this he speedily proceeded to
oppose other errors of the papacy, and soon to aim at
the destruction of the whole system of apostacy. He
soon however descended from his vantage ground, and
rested on the arm of secular power, both to oppose
the pretensions of the papacy, and to support his own
opinions. And he remained the firm friend and patron
of science and biblical knowledge, though in his religious
system were mingled the incipient seeds of a rational-
ism, which has since placed human reason on a level
with scriptural authority, and which has resulted in
materialism, or a mere legal profession, or a lifeless
and formal infidelity.

In Switzerland, Ulric Zuinglius (a. D. 1516) com-
menced publicly to preach from the Scriptures and op-
pose at first the sale of indulgences in that country,
and soon to attack in detail the whole superstructure
of papal superstition. But like Luther, Zuingle called
in the aid of the civil power, and submitted his system
to the keeping of an earthly tribunal.

436 OUTLINES OF I'EOPHETIC REVELATION".

The boldness and success of these champions, soon
called forth the awakened energies of excited multi-
tudes, in all parts of Europe. This schism in the papa-
cy is called the Reformation.

In Sweden, Olaus Petri took the lead in propagat-
ing the principles of reform.

In Denmark, Martin Rheinhard is the most con-
spicuous. A. D. 1523, Prussia received the light of
the Scriptures. John Brisman, followed b}^ other in-
trepid and eminent men, attacked the papal errors.
About the same time the Gospel was preached by many,
among whom in France, Farel, and at a little later peri-
od, John Calvin, stand pre-eminent on the historic page.
These reformers, after having attacked the papal sys-
tem through the word of God, in every case " descend-
ed from heaven to the earth,'' and relied for success
upon the powers of the governments which favored
them.

Luther established the Episcopal forms of church,
worship, which have undergone various modifications
and changes since his time.

Calvin published his " Institutes," A. D. 1535, and
became the founder of the Presbyterians, and the
subdivisions of this denomination, now supported by
law in Scotland and some parts of Holland and Ger-
many.

In England, the Reformation owes its origin and
success more to politicians, than to the clergy or the
friends of learning. The king, Henry VJIL, applied
to the pope to grant him a divorce from his queen, in
order that he might be espoused to another person.
England was then small and unimportant in the scale
of nations, and the pope, delaying an answer to the
proposal, which amounted to contempt, at length re-
fused to comply with the king's request. The wife of
Henry, at this time, was Catherine of Aragon, his
brother's widow, and aunt to Charles V. Policy had
decided the pope's answer, as he did not wish to offend

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. -iS?

Charles, then the most potent monarch of Europe.
While the pope delayed, Henry consulted the univer-
sities of Europe, a majority of whom favored his
wishes for a divorce, and, exasperated at the delay, and
more at the decision of the pope, he determined to
take advantage of the decisions of the universities,
and was united to Anne Boleyn, the object of his af-
fections. At the same time he determined to make
Eome feel the weight of his resentment. Accordingly
he caused himself to be declared by the English Par-
liament, the Supreme Head of the Church of England.
In England, therefore, not piet}^, but earthly policy
and sensual motives were the moving- cause of the for-

o

mation of this politico-religious power, in its modern
shape.

It will be seen that in the progress of this great
schism in the dominions of the papacy, each particular
government established its own peculiar views by law,
and so became a horn of itself. And with the excep-
tion of England, each of them began with the Scrip-
tures and ended with the assistance of earthly power.
Scotland united her destiny wnth England (a. d. 1707),
and the Presb3'terian kirk and the Episcopal church are
sustained by law, and submit to the control of the same
earthly head.

It ought to be stated that strong measures of oppo-
sition were taken by the pope and his adherents to
prevent the Reformation. In these measures Charles
Y., Pope Clement VII., and Ignatius Loyola, a Span-
ish knight, who about the year 15-10 formed the order
of Jesuits, are the most conspicuous, although multi-
tudes, and peoples, and nations, and tongues, were
joined with them.

The Scriptures were published in all the states
Avhich favored the Reformation, and circulated even
beyond their jurisdiction. Science, belles-lettres, and
the arts, have every where received the fostering care of
Protestant governments, and been zealously promoted

438 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

by the priesthood and ministry of their churches.
And the facilities obtained through the invention of
the art of printing and the improvements in naviga-
tion, travel, and the transmission of intelligence, are
constantly extending these influences.

The warlike exploits of England and the United
Provinces, of Sweden and Switzerland, Prussia and
Holland, the North American (United) States, and
Kussia, together Vvrith the effects of the French revolu-
tion, are noticed under ch. 15, 4-5, and need not be
here again described.

But another department of history, that of the pro-
gress of the truth, is to be consulted. I have append-
ed ia a recapitulation under ch. 13, 1-10, a list of some
of the most important items of progress, some of which
will here be repeated and enlarged upon.

1st. After the discovery and settlement of Ameri-
ca, the colonists, most of whom fled from the persecu-
tion of European Protestants or Papists, for the sake
of peace, good government, and the quiet enjoyment
of their peculiar religious opinions, enacted that those
opinions should be supported by the civil powers, and
no others tolerated. As the reverse from their wishes
is generally a fruit of such legislation, so they soon
experienced all the evils of fanaticism and religious
frenzy ; corporeal chastisements, fines, imprisonments,
banishment, or death, were the penalties of insubordi-
nation, religious dissension, or conscientious disregard
or violation of the rules or laws of the " standing or-
ders," or such as were supported by the state. Eoger
Williams, an elder of the church at Salem in Massa-
chusetts, was aggrieved by the course of the legisla-
ture, in confiscating lands claimed by that church to
the use of the colony, because some of its members
refused to subscribe an oath, called the "Freeman's
Oath," by which they were bound to sustain all the laws
of the colony. Mr. Williams and his church at Salem,
feeling that some of the colonial acts were arbitrary

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 439

and unjust, publicly expressed their opinions of them,
and after some controversy the elder was banished
from the colony for holding " divers new and danger-
ous opinions against the authority of magistrates."
This led him to a thorough examination of the duties
and authority of civil magistrates, from which he be-
came convinced that they extended only to matters of
temporal concern, embraced in the second table of the
decalogue, and not to things of religious faith, per-
taining only to conscience, nor to any of the objects
embraced in the first table of the law of God.

On leaving Massachusetts, Mr. Williams repaired
to the wilderness south of the colony, which he called
Providence, where, with others who followed him, he
formed a government, on principles new and untried
in the annals of the world. Its powers were limited
to temporal affairs, relating to the common defence
and general welfare of society, not to things pertain-
ing to conscience.

A. D. 1639, Mr. Williams founded the first Baptist
church ever gathered in a free country. The head of
the political power of the colony was undoubtedly in
this church, and she could have been wedded to the
state. But the church neither attempted to con-
trol, nor was controlled by the civil magistrate. It had
no legal connection whatever with the civil power. Uni-
versal toleration was granted in the colony. In this
Mr. Williams and the colony of Ehode Island and
Providence Plantations, followed only the plain and
express principles of the Gospel, and the sentiments
which for centuries had been held by his denomina-
tion ; and following the dictates of an enlightened judg-
ment, he wisely persevered in the experiment, and on
the breaking out of the Eevolutionary war between
Great Britain and her North American colonies, the
example of this church had been nearly a century and
a half before the world. On the adoption of the Federal
Constitution, A. D. 1789, the example of Rhode Island

4J:0 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC EEVELATION.

was embodied in an article whicli provides that "Con-
gress shall make no law respecting the establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof'^
Bj this article the political and religious powers are
entirely separated in the United States of America.
This example has been spreading, until it has induced
the repeal of all laws respecting a religious establish-
ment in all the states of the Republic ; it has greatly
affected such establishments in all the kingdom.s of Eu-
rope and throughout the world, and proves to be one
of the most inij)ortant among the many important
events of the seventeenth centur}^

The great principle and the leading moral traits
established by Roger Williams, Avere the liberty and
rights of conscience. To these he gave recognition, per-
manency and tranquillit}^, and this in contrast with
Papist and Protestant.

2d. The rise of Missionary Societies, forms an-
other feature in the activity of modern philanthropists,
although it has thus far been, unscripturally, separated
from the churches. Yet the truth has been widely
disseminated by them, until, through their auxiliaries,
Bible Societies, the Scriptures are now printed and cir-
culated in most of the important languages spoken on
earth, and the Gospel preached in the native tongues of
almost all nations and tribes of men.

All these things, in the rise and growth of modern
nations — their success in arms, their patronage and
general diffusion of moral, political, social, and reli-
gious knowledge, the example and power of the free
government of the North American States, the energy
and labor of missionaries, and the circulation of tlie
Scriptures — not only proclaim and expose the depraA^ty
and general moral corruption of "Babj'lon the Great,"
but they promote and accumulate the elements of her
destruction, and accelerate the crisis of her final over-
throw. And all these things call upon the saints to
come out of her, that they be not contaminated with

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

441

her sins, and receive not of lier plagues. I now pro-
ceed to contrast this chapter with some texts from the
51st chapter of Jeremiah.

Ver. 2. Babylon the Great is
fallen.

Vkr. 2. Babylon is become a
habitation of devils, and a hold of
every foul i>pirit, and a cage of
every unclean and hateful bird.

Ver. 3. For all nations have
drunk of the wine of the wrath of
her fornications.

Ver. 4. Come out of her, my
people, that ye be not partakers
of her sins, and that ye receive
not of her plagues.

Vek. 7. Slie hath glorified her-
self, and lived deliciously.

Ver. 6. Reward her even as she
hath rewarded you, and double
unto her double.

Ver. 8. Strong is the Lord God
who judgeth her.

Ver. 21. And a mighty angel
took up a stone, like a great mill-
stone, and cast it into the sea,
saying. Thus with violence shall
that great city Babylon be throw^n
down, and shall be found no more
at all.

Jer. 51 : 8. Babylon is suddenly
fallen.

Jer 51 : 37. Babylon shall be-
come heaps, a dwelling-place for
dragons — an astonishment, and a
hissing. [Note. — This relates to
a literal overthrow and desolation ;
that of v. 2 to a moral depravity,
a spiritual fall.

Jer. 51 : 7. Babylon hath been
a golden cup in the Lord's hand,
that made all the earth drunken.

Jer. 51 : 5 and 45, Flee out of
the midst of Babylon, and deliver
every man his soul. Be not cut ofi"
in her iniquity.

Jer. 51 : 13. O thou that dwell-
est upon many waters, abundant
in treasures! thine end is come,
and the measure of thy covetous-
ness.

Jer. 51 : 35. The violence done
to rae and my flesh be upon Baby-
lon, shall the inhabitants of Zion
say.

Jer. 51 : 36. Therefore, thus
saith the Lord ; Behold, I will plead
thy cause, and take vengeance for
thee.

Jer. 51 : 61-64. Jeremiah com-
manded Seraiah, When thou hast
made an end of reading this book,
then shalt thou bind a stone to it,
and cast it into the midst of Eu-
phrates : and thou shalt say, Thus
shall Babylon sink, and shall not
rise from the evil that I shall
bring upon her.

Vekse 9 — And the kings of the earth' who have committed
fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and la-
ment for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning.

Eze. 2(5 : 16 ; 27 : 80 ; chap. 17 : 2 ; 18 : 3, 18.

19*

442 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

Verse 10. — Standing- afar off, for the fear of her' torment, say-
ing, Ahis, ahts! tliat great city Babylon, that mighty" city! for
in one hour is thy judgment come.

Emblems of the Text. — Kings are the emblems of
kingdoms (cli. 9 : 11, &c.).

Fornication is S3anbolical of spiritual deliiiquencj
(ch. 2: 15-21, &c).

Smoke. Confusion, errors, &c. (cli. 8 : 5), vanity,
judgments, &c.

One Jiour. Prophetic time of fifteen days, but pro-
bably in this place the phrase is employed to signify
that her judgments shall fall simultaneously.

The elfeminate kingdoms that had supported tlie
Catholic religion will fear for their own salety, when
they see the papacy falling, and instead of marching
boldly to its aid, will stand afar off, lamenting its late
and dreading the consequences to themselves.

Verse 11. — And the merchants of the earth^ shall weep and
mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more :

Verse 12. — The merchandise of gold, and silver,^ and precious
stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scailet,
and all thyme'' wood, and all manner vesssels of ivory, and all man-
ner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and
marble.

Verse 13. — And cinnamon, and odors, and^ ointments, and
frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and
beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls
of men.

Verse 14. — And the fruits that thy soul^ lusted after are de-
parted from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are
departed from thee; and thou shalt find them no more at all.

Verse 15. — The merchants of these things which were made

1 Isa. 24 : 9 ; Jer. 51 : 8 ; ch. 14 : S,
* Or, strong.

2 Lze. ii7 : zf, 36 ; Zeph. 1:11; Mat. 22 : 5 ; John 2:16; 2 Pet, 2 ; 3,

3 Ps. 8 : lu ; £ze. 27 : 6 ; ch. 17 : 4.

b Sweet (1 Kings 10 : 11 ; 2 Chr. 2 : 8).

4 Gen. 34 : 39 ; Ezc. 27 : 18 ; Amos 6:6; John 12 : 3 ; 1 Tim. 1:10.:

5 Ch. 12 : 8 : 16 : 20 ; Num. 11:4; Ps. 78 : 18 ; Luke 12 : 20 : 1 Cor.
10 : 6 ; Jas. 4 : 2; iJohn 2 : 16.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION. 443

rich by her, shall stand afar^ off, for the fear of her torment, vvecD-
in<r and wailintr, ^

Verse 16— And sayin^r, Alas, alas I'' that ereat city'-' that was
clothed ni tine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with oold
and precious stones, and pearls !

Verse 17— For in one hour so great riches^ is come to nought.

The tender, dastardly merchants and priests, who
traded in the Episcopal market, lamented and bewailed
the ruin of this detestable city, because no man buyeth
any more their merchandise " of beasts, and sheep, and
horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men."
The attachment of these merchants to the Koman Cath-
olic religion, and all these tears, Avere the olfsprino- of
covetousness. They had hoped to be made rich by it.

God, who knows all hearts, here publicly exposes
the sordid love which binds together the various parts
of this wicked scheme of religious pretensions, and
shows that they regarded as merchandise, and con-
founded together as chattels, " beasts, and sheei3, and
horses, and slaves, and the souls of men." (Compare
ch. 17: 4, with ch. 18 : 6, and ch. 17 : ly.)

Verse 17.— And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships,
and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar otf,
^ Verse 18.— And cried when they saw the smoke^ of her burn-
mg, saying, What city is like unto this great city !
_ Verse 19.— And they cast dust on their heads,= and cried, weep-
ing and wailmg, saying, Alas, alas ! that great city, wherein were
made rich all tliat had ships in the sea, by reason of her costliness '
lor m one hour is she made desolate.

The same bonds of sordid cement and base attach-
ment actuated the ship -builders, mariners, and naval
"company" that caused the sorrow of her kings and

1 Jiulc 18 : 2, 3 ; Eze. 27 : 31 ; Hos. 12 : 7 ; Zech. 11:5: Acta 16:19.
^ Or, wo, wo ! 5 , ^.

2 Ch. 17: 4; Luke 16: 19.

5 Ua. 34: 1(»; Eze. 27 : tiy ; John 1 : 6.
^ Isa. 34 : 10 ; 7 : 6 ; 18 : 9.

5 Jo.sli. 7 : 6 ; 1 Sum. 4:12: 2 Sam. 13:19;. Neli. 9:1: .Tol> 2 • 12 •
Eze. 27 : 30. ' ' ' '

444 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATI02<r.

merchants. What a pictui^e of human nature is her©
drawn by the unerring pen of divine inspiration ! They
melt into tears of weeping and wailing, and say, Alas,
alas for the city ! when all they care for, is, that by her
costliness they were made rich and lived deliciously — -
and now the hope of their gains is gone.

One hour. In v. 8 it is said her plagues come in one
day. Here, as in v. 17 and v. 10, her destruction is
said to be in one hour, the time allotted to the lirst of
the Euphratian angels (ch. 9 : 15), and the time that
the ten horns are to receive power as kings with the
beast (ch. 17 : 13). The decline of the political power of
the papacy has been gradual ; but it appears that they
are to hold their spiritual power and influence until
within a single year of their final overthrow. When
once the confederate armies of the " ten horns" shall
meet at the seat and centre of the Roman Catholic
worship, the elements will be directly prepared, and in
fifteen days the system will be irrevocably destroyed
without one of her friends rendering the least ser-
vice ; for great is the Lord God who judgeth her. But
her image will survive in another power, only to meet
a more terrific doom (ch. 13 1 11, and 19 : 20).

Verse 20. — Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and' ye holy apos-
tles and prophets ; for God hath avenged you on her.

Thou heaven. Worldly men will regret her fall, but
the churches^ from a manly regard to justice, will rejoice
over her. The apostles and prophets murdered by
this harlot, whose names, and images, and relics, have
been worshipped, are called on to rejoice, for God hath
avenged on her the indignities done to them. For
" the fathers" killed the prophets, and the papists gar-
nished their sepulchres and worshipped the dead.

Verse 21. — And a mighty angel took up a*^ stone, like a great

1 Isa. 44: 23 ; 49 : 13 ; Jer. 51 : 48 ; ch. 19 : 2.

2 Jer. 61 : 64 : ch. 12:8; 16 : 20.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 445

millstone, and cast it into tlie sen, saying, Thus with violence shall
that o-i'eat city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no
more at all.

V^ERSE 22 — And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and' of
pipers, and of trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee ; and
no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more at
all in thee; and the sound of a mill-stone shall be heard no more
at all in thee ;

Verse 23. — And the light of a candle shalP shine no more at
all"^ in thee ; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall
be heard no more at all in thee: for thy mercliants were the great
men of the earth : for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Stone. The church, in Dan. 2, is represented as
smiting, hke a stone, the feet of Nebuchadnezzar's
image, by which the whole image is broken. Seraiah
cast the stone into the Euphrates, upon which ancient
Babylon stood (Jer. 51 : 62). The stone which this
angel took up was cast into the sea where the whore
sitteth; but he explains the act as representing the
"violence" with which spiritual Babylon shall be
thrown down (ch. 13 : 10), and then declares over and
over that this fall shall be final.

Verse 24. — And in her was found the blood^ of prophets, and
of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

It was said of Jerusalem, that the righteous blood
shed from the foundation of the world should be re-
quired at her hands; but here it is charged that the
blood of all the slain "upon earth" "was found in"
Babylon the Great. Infidelity to God is the cause of
moral evil ; apostacy from his worship the cause of re-
ligious confusion, violence, and martyrdom.

Eeflections. — To gratify the revenge of this beau-
tiful Herodias, the kings of the earth, while drunken

1 Isa. 24 : 8 ; Jer. 7 : 34 ; 16:9; 25 : 10 : Eze. 26 : 13.

2 Isa. 25 : 8 ; Jer. 7 : 34 ; 16 : 9 ; 25 : 10 ; ch. 17 . 2.

* Candles, lamps and torches are burnt, in idolatrous and papal torn
pies and cathedrals, bv day as well as by night.

3 Gen. 9:6; Jer. 51 : 35-49 ; Mat. 25 : 35; ch. 17 : 6.

446 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

with the dehcious wine of her apostacy, have espoused
her quarrels, and many a '• baptist" has been slain, and
his head given to the damsels of this profession. The
kings of Europe have imprisoned the best men of their
dominions, and spilled their richest bloody not in anger,
nor for crime, but to gratify the wanton spirit of this
malignant religion.

In the picture of great Babylon, every backshder
from Christ may see the tendency of his course ; for
they who are willing to forsake and wound the cause
of J esus, may be left to stretch forth their hands against
his friends. What persecutions, what massacres have
been set on foot by the hardness of apostate professors I

In the light of prophecy, we see that upon the
preached word and the circulation of the Scriptures the
reformation from papal darkness has chiefly depended.
By these the worlcl was enlightened to see its own
rights and her depravity ; and the Eefbrmation has
shown — 1st, that the Scriptures are the only jDromoter
or safeguard of human rights ; 2d, that the Scriptures
are the only source of moral or religious knowledge.
But by departing from the Scriptures and the Spirit of
the Lord, and relying for success upon the resources of
learning and reason, and the strong arm of national
power, the reformers showed to the w^orld the political
and military weakness of the papacy, and fulfilled the
declaration, that " he that killeth with the sword must
be killed with the sword" (Rev. 13 : 10).

In reference to the work which is called Luther's
Reformation, I may remark, that important church and
state relations were affected at the same time. Each
party acted in his own sphere, but, as the event showed,
all actions tended to the same end. Each did the work
which was compatible with his own talents, but none
acted independently of the grand design. Every mind
was moulded by all the rest ; and while in each par-
ticular department all seemed to be under the control
of an independent superior energy, still the labors of

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 447

each independent department was fashioned and as-
similated to the surrounding materials of the grand
whole ; as in the diluvian chaos rough fragments of
broken rocks were rounded and smoothed by the con-
cussion of warring elements, so in the transition state
of Protestantism, although at first every thing bore its
own external impress, yet every thing in it was more
or less afl'ected and influenced by other things with
which it came in contact. Luther's work was called
reformation, piety, religion ; Frederick's was called
civil, political, and military ; yet every thing, whether
similar or dissimilar, gradually took a family likeness,
and became blended with the rest in a heterogeneous
whole. Politics took a religious turn, and religion a
political cast, and the results of the whole became a
unit in history, and its emblem in Scripture is a mighty
angel descending from heaven, and the earth is light-
ened by his glory.

CHAPTEP XIX.

1. — God is praised in heaven for his righteous judgments. 7.
— The Marriage of the Lamb. 10. — The Angel refuses
worship, and explains the object of Prophecy. 11. —
Great Revolutions, attended with warlike slaughter,
predicted under the emblem of a Marriage Supper. ,

Verse 1. — And after these things I heard a^ great voice of
much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia: salvation, and glory, and
honor, and power, unto the Lord our God:

Vekse 2. — For true and righteous are his'^ judgments; for he
hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her
fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her
hand.

1 Ch. 4 : 11 ; 7 :'10 ; 12 : 10 ; 1 Chr. 29 : 11 ; Ps. 3 : 8 ; Jolm 2:9; Mat.
C: 3; 1 Tim. 1: 16.'

2 L»eut. 32 : 43 ; Isa. 25 : 1 ; ch. 15 : 3 ; 16 : 7 ; 18 : 20.

448 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Verse 3. — And again they said, Alleluia. And' her smoke
rose up for ever and ever.

Verse 4. — And the four and twenty elders^ and the four beasts*
fell down nnd worshipped God that sat gn the throne, saying,
Amen ; Alleluia.

Emblems of the Text. — Great voice, the emblem
of extensive debates, proclamations, and discussions.

Alleluia. This word is Hebrew, but, like all others,
adopted or transferred into the Greek by the sacred
penmen. Its definition is immediately given by the
writer in the ascription of ' Salvation and glory to the
Lord God ' (Matt. 27 : 41 ; John 1 : 38, &c.).

In heaven. Heaven is put for the region of the air
(Ps. 104 : 2) ; the stars (Ps. 19 : 1) ; the state of the
blessed (Matt. 5: 12, 16); the place of God's worship.
It is the emblem of the church.

For he hath judged. This seems to indicate this pro-
phecy as yet future. The great whore spoken of
appears to be the same as that of the foregoing chap-
ters. The spiritual reign of the papacy is yet
allotted some fifteen or twenty years. The rejoicing
of the saints began with its political fall. But in the
complete overthrow of Romish tyranny, we may ex-
pect still greater rejoicings even in the face of another
persecuting power, which will frame an image to the
beast, and deceive many by its miracles.

Elders (see ch. 5 : 8 ; 7 : 11, &c.).

Beasts (see ch. 5 : 9, 10 ; 7 : 12, &c.).

Amen. Like Alleluia, this word is of Hebrew ori-
gin, and signifies, ' so let it be,' or 'so it is.' Whether
it was original with the Hebrews is questionable, as it
was in public use Avhen they came from Egypt (Num.
6:22; Deut. 27 : 15).

Eemarks. — The announcement in all the ancient

1 Isa. 34: 10: 14: 11; 18: 9, 18.

2 Ch. 4 : 4, 6 ; 5 : 14 ; 1 Chr. 16 : 36 ; Ne. 5:13; Ps. 72 : 19 ; Jer. 26
5; Mat. 6: 13; 1 Cor. 14: 16.

** Twenty-four presbyters, and the four beings.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 449

predictions wliicli threatened the dispersion of the
Hebrew tribes, that they shall be again collected,
and enjoy the favor of their God (Hos. 3:5; Eze.
36 ; Isa. 65 ; . Amos 9) ; and the promises in the
New Testament to the same effect (Eom. 11 ; 2 Cor.
3); together with the use of their language here,
as well as several things which are in this and the
next chapters predicted under emblems which can
be well explained only in relation to the Jews, lead
us to the belief that the tribes of Jacob are here re-
ferred to. The fall of ancient Babylon made way for
the restoration of the ancient Jews, and their return
to the true worship. The fall of niA^stic Babylon will
open a door for the conversion of modern Jews, and
probably their restoration to Palestine. But the na-
tions did not learn virtue from the fate of the old city,
Babylon, nor were sin aod persecution banished from
the world ; but it was a time of liberation and great
rejoicing to the people of Grod. So on the fall of the
papal power, the spiritual Babylon of modern times,
the church will emerge from her bewildered state ; the
great obstacle to the success of the Gospel will be taken
away; Christians will find access to the Jews; the
world will see the faithfulness of God in the verity of
a long standing prediction. But sin will remain, and
the temerity of men will again dare the vengeance of
Heaven in another politico-religious organization. Yet
it can never again be triumphant over God's people.
Some will fiill, and be tried and purified even to the
end of the seventh trumpet. But the judgment will
certainly sit, and the government of the whole world
will come into the hands of the saints of the Most
High. So that they may noAv rejoice even, although,
in the mean time, they are not secure against the
evils of the present world.

Verse 5. — And a voice came out of the throne,^ snying, Praise our
God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

1 Ps. 134: 1 ; 135: 1; eh. 14: 6.

450 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Verse 6. — And 1 heard as it were the voice of a^ great multi-
tude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty
thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent'' reign-
eth.

Verse 7. — Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor'^ to him ;
for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made her-
self ready.

Emblems or the Text. — Voice (see cli. 19 : 1).

Throne^ the emblem of honor, authority and judg-
ment. Probably this is to be fulfilled in the holy zeal
of a sanctified and more eminent ministry.

Waters^ the emblem of multitudes, of various lan-
guages and nations (ch. 17 : 15).

Thunderings^ widespread and tremendous revolu-
tions, and great excitements (ch. 4:2; 14 : 1, &c.).

Marriage^ the emblem of perfection, sincerity and
joy. Marriage is an ordinance of primeval purity and
innocence. God instituted it both in fact and contem-
plation, while the first pair were yet in Eden. The
sacred nature of this ordinance was interrupted by the
privilege of divorce, granted the refractory Hebrews
by Moses after the exodus, but was restored again
under the Gospel. It was again shaken by the lawless
head of the papacy, the harlot of Eome, in the celi-
bacy of her clergy and nuns ; but the power of the
Gospel is gradually dispelling that cloud, and enlight-
ening the church and the world, and the duties and
privileges, the rights and immunities of marriage are
again by some acknowledged and enjoyed.

By the two great and prominent emblems of the
Eevelation, and their effects upon the world, viz., the
harlot of the wilderness and the marriage of the Lamb,
Jehovah has impressed upon his church the nature of
his own views of the evils of profaning this sacred

1 Eze. 1 : 24 : 43 : 2 ; ch. 1 : 8 ; 4 : 3 ; 11 : 15, 17 ; 12 : 10 ; 16 : 14 ; 21 :
22.

' ^ The Lord God ; the Almighty.

2 Mat. 22 : 2 ; 25 : 10 ; Luke 14 : 1 6 ; 2 Cor. 1 1 : 2 ; Eph. 5 : 32 ; ch.
21 : 2, 9.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC KEVELATION. 451

institution, and the blessing of regarding it in its
purity.

Remarks. — We are now near the middle of the
present centuiy. Before its close, the blast of the
seventh trumpet will be heard ushering in the last
great conflict of the church with her foes (ch. 11 : 15),
and these predictions will begin their fulfilment. An
unusual animation will be manifest in preaching,
which will be attended with great power and strong-
opposition (1 Cor. 16 : 9), which will open the way for
the marriage of the Lamb, whose bride will now make
herself ready. The union of the church to Christ is
compared to the nuptials of the bridegroom with his
bride. If^ therefore, the church is not fully prepared
to the mystical union of wedlock, until the fulness of
the Gentiles come in, then it follows that the times here
referred to are those in which the promise of the resto-
ration of the Jews is to be fulfilled. Of consequence,
these nuptials refer to their acceptance of Jesus Christ
for their Messiah, which is here figuratively termed his
marriage. But if the Gentile churches are fully pre-
pared to their mystical wedlock with Christ, when they
publicly acknowledge him as their Husband and Lord,
and he owns them as his, before the fulness come in,
then here is an epoch in the prophecies, uttered eigh-
teen centuries before its fulfilment, which, if it do not
refer to the restoration of the Jews, is, and has been
an every-day incident for generations, and, therefore,
does not refer to the church at all. For it would be
absurd to suppose a prediction of this grave import,
fixing the period of its fulfilment after the destruction
of the harlot church, which has been of more than
twelve centuries continuance, should be nothing more
than an every-da3^'s occurrence. If, therefore, this
projDhecy refers to the church at all, its reference is to
the times when the seed of Jacob shall be restored to
the favor of their God, or a peculiar, special and strange
event, unlike any previous thing, and in no other place

452 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC EEVELATION,

clearly referred to in proj^hecy, is to bless the Gentiles.
But this cannot be, because in all the great blessings
promised the Gentile church, her special enlargement
and divine favor, the Jews are every where promised a
participation (Luke 21 : 24; Kom. 11 : 31). It appears,
therefore, that this prophecy contemplates the grace
and glory of those times when the Jews, who as a peo-
ple have rejected the Messenger of the Covenant^
shall, in a body, receive and rejoice in his love.

The return of the Jews and their acceptance of
Jesus as their Messiah and Sovereign, is spoken of in
Scripture as an object of the greatest solicitude with
Jehovah, attended with the most glorious results to the
church (Rom. 11 : 15), accompanied with magnificent
blessings, but, to the earth, tremendous judgments. It
is an event to be prayed for and greatly desired.

Verse 8. — And to her was granted tliat she should^ be arrayed
in tine linen, clean and white: for the tine linen is the righteousness
of the saints.

Vekse 9. — And he said nnto me, Write, Blessed^ are they
which are called unto the marriage-supper of the L:imb. And he
said unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Emblems of the Text. — Fine linen is the emblem
of Gospel righteousness.

jSupper, here used figuratively to denote slaughter,
battles, bloodshed, revolutions and war (ver. 18 : 21).

We had a view of the " purple and scarlet color,
the gold, precious stones, and pearls," which clad the
harlot of the dragon (ch. 17 : 4) ; but the clothing of
the bride is fine linen, clean and Avhite, which is the
righteousness of the saints.

In Matt. 22, is the description of a marriage supper,
at which some that were bidden Avere unholy and pun-
ished ; but at this, all who are called are blessed. For
none but his servants, and those who fear him, will be
invited.

» Ps. 45 : 14, 15 ; Eze. 16 : 10; eh. 8: 18.

2 Mat. 22 : 2 ; Luke 14 : 16 ; ch. 21 ; 5 i 22 ; 6.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 453

Th<?se are the true sayings of God. The return of the
Jews to Palestine had been frequently foretold in Scrip-
ture; but to a Jew, in the days of John, such a i)ro-
phecy must have appeared strange, and forebodino- of
previous evils, "unless he could have brought his mind
to have received a forced interpretation, and applied it
to their return from Babylon. But how could that com-
port with the expression, *' I will sift them among the
nations," or, " I will scatter them among the heathen ?"
But John had seen the line of confusion and the stones
of emptiness spread over Jerusalem, in the opening of the
seventh seal (ch. 8 : 1), and the city trodden under foot
of the Gentiles (Luke 21 : 24). He had in vision seen
Jerusalem demolished and his countrymen driven fi-om
Palestine, because they had rejected the Messiah whom
God had provided and appointed over them; but here
he beheld, not only their return to Judea, but their
return to God, and their marriage with the Lamb.
While he seems to have been contemplating the vision,
the angel of the vial assured him that " these are the
true sayings of God."

By thus calling John's attention more directly to
this promise, with the assurance that the promise is
true and may be relied upon, however much appear-
ances may be against it, because it is the true saying
of God, is shown the importance in which it w^as held by
the messengei' who made known the vision ; as much
as if he had said, " Yes, the Jews have rejected Jesus,
and their city must, in consequence, be broken down,
and their land be made desolate ; and the days of ven-
geance be brought upon them, and they shall fall by
the edge of the sword, and their villages be laid waste by
fire ; and God will plead against them by pestilence and
famine ; and they shall be sold into captivit}^, and dri-
ven abroad and scattered among all nations, and shall
be a rrproach, an astonishment, a curse and a hissing
among all people under heaven ; and God shall put
the cup of trembling to their lips, and they shall wring

454 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

out the dregs and drink of it, and shall be polluted
and hardened and dwell manj^ j^ears in a strange land,
and shall have no rest; neither shall thej know the
day of their deliverance ; for they shall have blind-
ness of eyes and darkness of mind, and their heart
shall be gross, and their ears shall be dull of hearing;
neither shall they understand. Yet, surely, they shall
be delivered and brought back to Zion. God has pro-
mised and will surely bring it to pass. He has the
power and the determination, and he will surely see it
done, for these are the true sayings of God." And this
accords with other parts of the Bible. Great events
will attend it, and special blessing flow to the disciples
of Jesus in connection with it.

When this was spoken, the Jewish nation was still
in their own land. No appearance of such an event
as their removal was apparent to any one. No one
descried it. No one expected it. No statesman of any
nation could have desired it. As a national event
their dispersion was a catastrophe detrimental to all;
a curse upon all. (See 6th seal and 4th trumpet.) But
in vision John saw them rooted out, not only from
their own land and their own place, but from the affec-
tions of God, and a strange people transplanted, not
indeed to the Canaan of Palestine, but to the promises
and blessings, the favors and the honors, which, in re-
jecting the Messiah, they had despised ; and a long, dark
period of trouble lay before them. Yet John was
reminded and assured that they should return, and
should inherit the affections of their Father and God,
and should make themselves ready as a bride and be
married to his Son. Although hardened, polluted and
scattered, yet they shall be arrayed in fine linen clear
and white. They shall be gathered up from all na-
tions to which they are driven, and be restored to their
own desired land. Many shall be called, and come and
enjoy the feast.

In Romans, ch. 11 : 31, we are informed how God

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 455

will bring this about in his own time. Not b}^ break-
ing oil* the Gentiles who obtained mercy through their
unbelief, but through the "mercy" or agency and
pra3-ers of the Gentiles and God's grace upon them,
shall the Jews be restored. Is there any thing at this
earlj^ season indicative of this ?

Verse 10. — And I fell ai^ his feet to worship' him. And he
said unto me, ^ee thou do it notji^ I am thy fellow-servant, and of
thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God; for
the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

The angel interfered personally with his testimony
to the truth of the emblem of the marriao-e and of the

o

supper. The same worship is repeated in ch. 22 : 6,
w^here the angel vouches for the truth of the whole
Eevelation. (But see ch. 1 : 1.)

The testimony of Jesus is the sinrit of projDhecy,
The substance of this remark is, that the leading ob-
ject and design of all prophecy is to testify of Jesus.
The Scriptures contain history, proverbs, principles and
doctrines, but the coming of Jesus gives spirit to the
whole. He is the " Amen." In him shall be fulfilled
all the types, figures and promises of the ancient
Scriptures, and in him are these predictions certain
and sure.

Verse IL — And I saw heaven opened, and behold,' a white
horse ; and he that sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in
righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Verse 12. — His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on^ his head
were many crowns ;•= and he had a name written, that no man knew-,
but he himself.

a Before his feet.

1 Acts 10: 26; 14 : 14 ; 1 John 5: 10; cli. 12: 17; 22: 8, 9.

b See thou do it not ; Gr. opa fxi\, i. e.. " See ! not !"
• - 2 Ch. 3: 14; 6:2; Ps. 45: 3; Isa. 11: 5; Zech. 1 : 8 ; 9 : 10 ; John 14:
6; Heb. 7 : 2.

3 Cb. 1 : 14; 2: 17, 18 ; Gen. 32; 29; Ex. 23: 21; Cant. 3: 11; Zech.
9: 13.

c Or, diadems.

id6 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Verse 13. — And he was clothed in"" a, vesture dipped' in blood:
and his name is called Th.e Word of God.

Verse 14. — And the armies which were in heaven^ followed
him upon white horses, clo'hed in fine linen, white and clean.

Verse 15. — And out of his mouth <Toeth a sharp^ sword, that
with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a
rod of iron : and he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and
wrath of Almighty God.

Verse 16. — And he hath on his vesture and* on his thigh a
name written, KING OF KhNGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Emblems of the Text. — Heaven, The place wliere
God is respected and his mandates obeyed — the visi-
ble church. (Ch. 19 : 1-5.)

White horse. Horse is the emblem of grandeur,
fleetness, courao^e and streno^th. The color varies the
symbol. White horse is, in Scripture, an emblem of
the true religion, and by metonymy is put for the pro-
fessors of that religion. (Ch. 6 : 2.)

To set upon. To govern, to rule, or direct. (Ch.
27: 3.)

Croivns. The emblem of honor (ch. 4 : 4, and 6 : 2,
&c.), and of monarchy.

Blood. The symbol of war, usually civil war.

Word of God. A man's cliaracter is involved in
his word (Matt. 12 : 37), and whoever has God's word,
has his authority, his mind, and a knowledge of his
will. Therefore, he, whose name is The Word of God,
has a knowledge of the mind and will of God, and is
clothed with his authority.

Fine linen. The emblem of purity and righteous-
ness. (Verse 8.)

Sivord. (Ch. 2 : 12.) Sword is an instrument of
vengeance and the emblem of authority, conquest, and
war. (Rom. 13 : 4.)

°- Witli a vesture.

1 Isa. 63 : 3 ; John 1 : 1 ; 1 John 1:1; 5:7.

2 Mat. 28: 3: ch.4:4: 7:9.

3 Ps. 2 : i) ; 76 : 13 ; Lsa. 11:4; 63 : 3 ; 2 Thes. 2:8; ch. 1 : 16 ; 2 :
12,16,27: 12: 5; 14:19,20; 19: 21.

4 Ps. 72 : U ; Pr. 8 : 15 ; Dan. 2 : 47 ; Phil. 2 : 9; 1 Tim. 6 : 15 ; ch.
17: 4.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 457

Wine press. The emblem of slaughter and con-
quest.

Remarks. — From the foregoing emblems, it is evi-
dent that when the church shall again emerge from her
wilderness state, and the white horse (ch. 6 : 2) shall
the second time make his triumphal appearance, it will
be attended with greater revolutions than when he
came up out of Egypt at first. The deliverance of the
church from the influence and dominion of those Avho
now despise and oppress her, will be the signal of
treading down the nations of the earth, and trampling
them as grapes in a wine press.

Note. — The birth of the child who was to rule all
nations was about A. M. 400-i. I have taken the com-
mon era as the basis of reckoning, although there is
among scholars a variation of more than sixty years,
aiino mundi, as to his birth, and from two to five years
variation, anno doming of the date of other events.
Allowing A. M. 4004 to be the true era, I find more dates
settled in reference to that time, than to any other. I
find, however, that many of these dates are only con-
jectures, that have been assumed ; and the events which
are marked by them, perverted, magnified, or dimin-
ished by different writers, for the sake of sustaining
a favorite theory or combating an unpalatable argu-
ment.

The name of the rider upon the white horse is the
^' Word of God," and he is " true and faithful." Jesus
Christ impersonated the Scriptures, which are the word
of Jehovah. Divine prophecy referred to him and
predicted him, and he fulfilled it. When the Word of
God first appeared to the world, sitting upon a white
horse, it is represented as having but one crown, be-
cause it was the religion of only one nation ; here it
has many crowns, because He is to rule all nations
(ch. 6:2).

The phrase in the original, translated "King of
kings and Lord of lords," is BaaiXev^; fiaaiXicov, Kal
20

458 OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

KvpLo^ KvpLcdv. This phrase does not seem to have any
reference to the distinction of ranks or titles relating
to royalty or nobility, as it appears to do in the common
English version, but to the chief ruler or principal
magistrate of a nation and to the master or head of a
family.

Verse 17. — And I saw an angel standing- in the' sun, and he
cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the
midst of heaven. Come, and gather yourselves together unto the
supper of the great God ;

Verse 18. — That ye may eat the flesh of kings,'^ and the flesh
of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses,
and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and
bond, both small and great.

Verse 19. — And I saw the beast,'^ and the lungs of^ the earth,
and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that
sat on the horse, and against his army.

Verse 20. — And the beast was taken, and with^ him the false
prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived
them that had received the mark of the beast,^ and them that wor-
shipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire
burning with brimstone.

Verse 2 1 . — And the remnant were slain with the^ sword of him
that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth :
and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Emblems of the Text. — Sun (ch. 6 : 12, 17), the
symbol, 1st, of divine knowledge ; 2d, of the church.

Loud voice, the prelude to discussions, commotions
and trouble.

Foiuls of heaven, is a figure of the saints individ-
ually. Blessed are they who are called. (Ver. 9.)

Supper of the great God, is the marriage supper of
the Lamb.

i Isa. 25 : 6 ; Jer. 12:9; Eze. 39 : 17 ; ch. 8 : 13 ; 14:6.

2 Dent. 28 : 26 ; 1 Sam. 17 : 44 ; Ps. 110 : 6 ; Jer. 7 : 83; Eze. 29 : 5 ;
Mat. 24 : 28 ; Luke 17 : 87 ; ch. 6 : 15 ; 13 : 16.

a Wild beast.

3 Eze. 38 : 8 ; Dan. 7 : 25 ; Joel 8:9; ch. 13 : 1 ; 17 : 12.

4 Deut. 13 : 1 ; Dan. 7 : 11 ; Mat. 24 : 24 ; ch. 13 : 12 ; 14 : 10 ; 16 : 13,
14; 20 :10.

b Character of the "wild beast.

5 Ch. 1:16; 17 : 16 ; ver. 11 and 17.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 459

Kings, captains, and might?/ men, or champions, are
emblematic of kingdoms, governments and offices or
officers.

Horses, The emblem of power, speed, &c. (Ch. 6 :
2, 4, 5, 8.) The color varies the symbol.

Beast. By an oversight in the commonly received
version of the New Testament, two words of very dif-
ferent import in Greek are, in the Kevelation, translated
*' beast." This is to be regretted, as it throws a suspicion
upon the integrity of the whole version. The word
here rendered " beast," is in Gr. ^rjpLov; in ch. 4 : 1, it is
^(i)(ov. In this place it is a symbol of the union of re-
ligion with politics (ch. 6 : 8, and 11 : 7, and 13 : 1,
&c.), or organized infidelity.

False prophet. The peculiar form of religion sup-
ported by the beast from the earth. (Ch. 13 : 13-18.)

Sword of his mouth (ver. 21). This is the symbol,
1st, of the Gospel, or of the preached word ; 2d, the
Bible ; 3d, the judgments predicted in the Scriptures
(compare Zech. 11: with Eze. 39). The whole de-
scription of the two armies, from ver. 11 to ver. 19, is
doubtless figurative of a spiritual procession ; and from
a description of the weapons of war (ver. 15 and 21),
the sword of his mouth, it is evident that the saints
will use no other sword by his permission. But the
emblems lead us to anticipate, that even by the use of
this sword, which is the word of God, terrific, wide-
spread and desolating wars will ensue ; that revolu-
tions and counter-revolutions will as effectually put a
stop to state church establishments as if they were burnt,
like Sodom and Gomorrah, in a lake of fire and brim-
stone.

This war, as we have seen (ch. 11 : 15, 18), occurs
prior to A. D. 2130, and closes the career of political
usurpations, false religions, false philosophy, lying
miracles, superstitious dreams and all imposture. The
army upon white horses will take the kingdom, and
the emancipated church will triumph over her foes.

4B0 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Observations. — It will be a happy day for the
church when the delusions of birth, wealth and titles,
which have been the pride of life ; and the imposi-
tions of science and the deceptions of false religion, are
destroyed. O that the day would hasten on ! Well
did the Kevelator exclaim, on a review of his work,
"Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

All are created with equal natural rights. Ko man
can hold more than a usufructuary interest in any thing
in this world. Allodial and fee titles are the usurpa-
tions of law. But legislatures may designate both the
acquisition and tenure of personal estates, and the de-
scent of real property. The pretended creations of
nobility or corruption of blood are legal fictions, no-
where existing in nature, in Scripture, or justice.

All orders of precedence or pre-eminence in the
church are impositions unknown to the Scriptures, for
one is their master, even Christ, and all they are breth-
ren. The church is not a democracy without law, in
which each one may do what is right in his own eyes
(Deut. 12 : 8), but a republic, with its officers, whose au-
thority, derived from Christ, is determined in the word.
(See ch. 1 : 20.) Every thing else is to be swept away,
the church purified and led by Jesus who is the Word
of God, and they will follow him in white.

The beast, here taken, is in his two-horned shape
(ch. 13 : 11), acting in conjunction, and may possibly
be the same with the "ten kings" (ch. 17 : 12).

The power of the sea monster, the first beast (ch.
13 : 1), against the saints is nearly gone, at least his
time is nearly expired (ch. 13 : 5) ; but he may make
one more murderous effort against the Scriptures and
the saints, the two witnesses of ch. 11 : 7, when his
seat will be burnt with fire, and the second wo will be
past. The second beast, the lamb-dragon, will be next
in order, to whom the ten horns join their power, upon
whom the seven plagues will fall (ch. 16), until the
marriage supper, the great day of God, when the

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 461

beast, the ten horns and the last form of religious error
and infidelity will be taken and cast into a lake burn-
ing with fire and brimstone. [Possibly the same as
the sea of glass mingled with fire. Ch. 15 : 2.] This
war and battle may therefore progress for many
years.

CHAPTEK XX.

Introduction. — We dismiss the conflicts of ch. 19,
to witness here another still more terrible one. The
enemies of God, which were prepared by the dragon,
and let loose upon the world by the policy of Constan-
tine, the pope, the lamb-dragon, and three unclean
spirits, are first to be destroyed, when a war will be
declared aginst the dragon himself, who will be over-
come and cast into the bottomless pit, whence came
the smoke that bred the locusts (ch. 9 : 2), but afterwards
the dragon will be cast into the lake of fire with the
beast and false prophet (ver. 10).

Verse 1. — And I saw an angel come down from heaven, hav-
ing the key of the bottomless pit and a^ great chain in his hand.

Verse 2. — And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent,
which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a' thousand years.

Verse 3. — And cast him into the bottomless pit,'^ and shut him
up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no
more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled; and after that he
must be loosed a little season.

Verse 4. — And I saw thrones, and they sat upon* them, and
judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that

1 Luke 8 : 31 ; ch. 1 : 18 ; 9 : 1-11.

2 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6 ; ch. 12 : 9.

3 Dan. 6 : 17 ; ch. 16 : 14^16 ; 20 : 8.
'^ Abyss.

4 Dan. 7 : 9, 22, 27 ; Mat. 19 : 28 ; Luke 22 : 30 ; Rom. 8 : 17 ; 1 Cor. 6 :
2, 3 ; 2 Tim. 2:12; ch. 3 : 16 ; 5 : 10 ; 6 : 0, 10, 11 ; 13 : 12.

462 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God,=*
and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither
had received his mark'' upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and
they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Verse 5. — But the rest of the dead lived not^ again until the
thousand years were finished.<= This is the first resurrection.

Verse 6. — Blessed and holy is he that hath part'^ in the first
resurrection : on such the second death hath no power, but they
shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a
thousand years.

Verse 7. — And when the thousand years are' expired, Satan
shall be loosed out of his prison.

Emblems of the Text. — Angela messenger, spirit,
or influence.

Came down from heaven^ that is, a power arose out
of, or descended from the church (ch. 4 : 2, and
10 : 1, &c.).

Key (ch. 3, 7), the emblem of possession or authori-
ty, and is used figuratively to denote knowledge or
doctrines (ch. 9 : 3).

Chain^ is 1st, the symbol of captivity, imprison-
ment or hindrance ; and 2d, in the hand, or as an orna-
ment or part of the costume, it denotes honor, sove-
reignty and power.

Dragon^ Satan, &c., are symbols of enmity, opposi-
tion, idolatry and false religions.

Bottomless pit. (See ch. 9 : 2, &c.)

^S'e^ a seal. Seal is the emblem of civil power (ch.
6 : 1, and 7 : 2). To set a seal, is 1st, to set up a king-
dom ; 2d, to place under the restraints of law.

Thrones. The emblems of honor, power, or au-
thority (ch. 4 : 2, &c.).

Remark. — This angel that came down from heaven
must be understood of something similar to the one in

^ Who were under the altar in chap. 6 : 9.
li His character.

1 Eze. 37 : 2 ; Kom. 11 : 15 ; ch. 11 : 11 ; 19 : 20.
e Ended.

2 Isa. 61 : 6 ; 1 Pet. 2:9; ch. 1 : 6 ; 2:11; 5 : 10 ; 21 : 8.

3 Gen. 3:15; Job 1 : 7 ; Isa. 27 : 1 ; Mark 5 : 7 ; 1 Pet. 5:8; Judo 6,

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 463

ch. 18 : 1, and is a power that arises under the influence
of Scripture, and unites its force with temporal or car-
nal weapons, by which a revolution is effected in pagan
governments, of such a nature as entirely to subvert
the whole fabric of politico-idolatrous institutions, and
for a long period prevent any successful attempts at
their re-establishment.

Thousand years. There is a curious and instructive
history of events, which have grown out of a perver-
sion or misunderstanding of this phrase, and which is so
important that a brief account of it will be introduced
here. Its consideration may deter men, hereafter, from
forming a too hasty judgment upon a particular text,
and show the consequences of a wilful or erratic per-
version of even the least of the Scripture command-
ments.

The period of the text translated a thousand years,
is in Greek ylXKia erTj, in the Latin mille annos^ and
from the Latin is called the millennium, so often referred
to and so conspicuous in the history of the last eight
hundred years.

Anthony the Hermit, a native of Alexandria, and
the reputed father of monastic life, died A. D. 356. He
taught that seclusion from the world and the practice
of austerities were the most acceptable sacrifices the
devout could make to Grod, and, for several centuries,
vast numbers immured themselves in cloisters and
cells, erected in deserts, forests or mountains, on
unfrequented islands, and, at length, in cities, where
they became the corrupters of society, and pests and
drones of the world. These were favored of the popes,
and proclaimed, to the church, as examples of sanctity
and devotion. They were divided into various orders
and names, but their system was destined to an entire
change. Towards the close of the tenth and beginning
of the eleventh century, a passion for pilgrimages to
the Holy Land was excited by an opinion, which be-
gan to prevail over Europe, that the thousand years

464 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

mentioned in this text were nearly accomplislied, and
the end of the world at hand. A general consterna-
tion seized the minds of men. Numbers relinquished
their possessions, forsook their families and friends,
and hastened to the Holy Land, where they imagined
Christ would suddenly appear to judge the living and
the dead.

In 1065 the Turks took possession of Jerusalem,
and the pilgrims were no longer safe. They were de-
rided in their worship, insulted, and their effects fre-
quently plundered. Towards the close of the eleventh
century A. D. 1092 (see ch. 9 : 13, &c.), the celebrated
Peter the Hermit, a native of France, made the pil-
grimage to Jerusalem, and having there witnessed the
trials to which the pilgrims were exposed from the
Turks, on his return (a. d. 1095), he conceived the
project of arming the sovereigns and people of Europe
for the purpose of rescuing the holy sepulchre and
other sacred places from their hands. A superstitious
reverence had long been cultivated throughout Europe
for the relics of the saints and the tombs of the proph-
ets and martyrs of the Holy Land. They venerated
to adoration the bones of the Apostles or the smallest
fragments of the " true cross," and their fiercest pas-
sions were roused in indignation and vengeance at the
tidings that the place where he was laid was trodden
under the feet of the enemies of Christ. With the inten-
tion of rescuing it, a new spirit of religious chivalry
arose. Peter travelled from province to province, excit-
ing princes and people to embark in the holy enterprise.
His clothes were exceeding mean, his body seemed
wasted with famine, his head was bare, his feet naked,
and in his hand he bore aloft a crucifix. When he
painted the sufferings of the natives and pilgrims of
Palestine, every heart was melted to compassion, and
when he challenged the warriors of the age to defend
their brethren, and rescue the tomb of their Saviour,
every breast glowed with enthusiasm. Urban 11. now

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 4:6o

occupied the papal chair. Perceiving the advantages
of such an enterprise to the Koman hierarchy, he en-
tered into the views of Peter, and zealously set him-
self to enlist the princes and people of Europe to arm
against the infidel inhabitants of the East. A numerous
army ^Yas collected, which, after a variety of fortune,
reached Jerusalem and planted the standard of the
cross upon the holy sepulchre.

In the mean time, two councils were called in Eu-
rope, one at Placentia, the other at Clermont, at the
latter of which the pope himself addressed the multi-
tude, in a speech, at which they exclaimed, " It
is the IV ill of God! — it is the will of God!" Persons
of all ranks flew to arms. Eternal salvation was prom-
ised to all who should go forth to the help of the Lord.
Large armies were raised, not only of nobles, bishops,
and the thousands who were subject to their influence,
but women concealing their sex in the disguise of ar-
mor, were eager to share the glory of the contest.

The convents were emptied of their inmates, and
the thousands of monks who had for years rusted in
indolence and corrupted in licentiousness, awoke from
their stupor, and putting on the air of excitement and
enterprise, and the armor of war, marched to witness
the descent of Jesus from heaven, expecting that he
would meet and reward them for their services in the
scenes of his ministry. Eobbers, incendiaries and mur-
derers, and other kindred characters, embraced this
opportunity to expiate their sins and secure a place in
the affections of Christ and the paradise of God.

A. D. 1096, Peter himself started at the head of
an undisciplined multitude, amounting to 300,000, and
was followed the same year by Godfrey of Bouillon,
at the head of 100,000 horse and 600,000 foot.
Thus a million of warriors poured at once their hos-
tile battalions upon the shores of Palestine. In one
grand battle thej" routed an army of Saracens equal in
numbers to their own, and the Turks every where de-
20^

466 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

feated, fled before the inundating swarms of Europe.
The holy city, Jerusalem, was taken, and a new king-
dom erected in the land of Judah, which continued
for half a century. The Turks, however, gradually
recovered their strength and at length fell upon the
new kingdom, threatening it with ruin. A second
crusade was therefore found necessary to support the
first. This was preached by St. Bernard of Clairvaux
in Champaign, a man of learning and great eloquence.
As Peter had represented the scandal of sutfering
the sacred places to remain in the hands of infidels, so
Bernard thundered from the pulpit the scandal of al-
lowing a land that had been recovered from pollution,
to sink again into it. Bernard was supported by Pope
Eugenius III., who, like others who have filled the
pontificate, ever fruitful in imposture, commissioned
this fit tool of deception to preach plenary indulgence
to those, who, under the banner of their kings,
should march into Judea. Armies were raised from
various states of Europe, amounting to 300,000 men,
headed by Louis VII. of France and Conrad III. of
Germany. The enterprise, however, failed ; the af-
fairs of the oriental Catholics were reduced to a state
of great distress, and, A. D. 1187, Saladin the Mohamme-
dan sovereign of Egypt, Arabia, Syria and Persia, in-
vaded Palestine and annihilated the already languish-
ing kingdom of Jerusalem. The news of this catas-
trophe filled Europe with grief and consternation.
Clement III., who at this time filled the papal chair,
proclaimed a third crusade, and the sovereigns of the
principal states of Europe, Britons, Germans, Franks,
Spaniards, Greeks and Italians, eagerly enlisted in the
cause. This expedition was also disastrous, and was
followed by several others, without accomplishing the
objects for which they were undertaken.

These crusades continued for nearly two centuries
to disturb the states of Europe. It is estimated that
two millions lost their lives by them, besides the im-

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 467

mense numbers who were blended with the Mohamme-
dan population of the East. Towns and cities were
depopulated, or were inhabited only by widows and
orphan children. Immense as was the loss of life and
treasure to Europe, it did not probably surpass that to
Asia and Africa. The crusades were sources of incal-
culable wealth to the popes, the churches, and monas-
teries ; for to them the pious adventurers bequeathed
the houses, lands and property, which few of them ever
returned to claim.

Since the time of Peter the Hermit, scarcely a
century has elapsed, and hardly a generation, that has
not witnessed the uprising of startled millions, moved
by the labors of some pious fanatic, proclaiming, in
humble imitation of these princes of deception, " The
time is fulfilled, behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye
out to meet him !" We perceive that these great move-
ments on the part of Europe originated in a mistaken
or fraudulent interpretation of this text of Scripture,
and having begun in mistake, they were supported by
delusion and continued by avarice.

I now leave the subject of this error, and return to
consider the prophetic date of the thousand years du-
ring which Satan is bound, cast into prison, and has a
seal set on him. Whether this period is to be under-
stood of a thousand years common time, is unknown.
If, in prophetic time, then the number is the literal
duration of 360 thousand years. This vast cycle of
time seems so disproportionate to the past duration of
the earth, and so different from all the views of its ex-
istence given in other portions of Scripture, and of the
speedy approach of the judgment and of the end of
the world, that I am not disposed to understand it of
prophetic time (although it may be), but literally of
the time of a thousand years, commencing nearly at
the period of the fall of the lamb-dragon and the " ten
horns," which occurs about A. D. 2130. The binding
of Satan succeeds the destruction of the beast and false

468 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

prophet ; but whether it is to be a gradual work of
many years, or instantaneous, like the decision of a
battle-field, can be determined only by the fulfilment
of the prediction. By this act, opposition to the Gos-
pel will become almost passive ; the persecution of
the saints entirely cease ; combinations against the
truth disband; and convictions of sin, under the prompt-
ings of the Holy Spirit, the influence of preaching, and
a high state of good morals, must, it would seem, al-
most invariably lead to repentance and a change of
heart.

The thousand years mentioned in ver. 2, 3, and 7,
are, I apprehend, precisely the same as mentioned in
ver. 4, 5, and 6.

The description of the reign of the souls of them
that were beheaded — 1st, for the witness of Jesus ; 2d,
for the word of Grod ; 8d, and of those who had not
worshipped the beast (ch. 13 : 16) ; 4th, nor his image ;
or 5th, had not received his mark upon their foreheads
or in their hands, who lived and reigned with Christ a
thousand years while Satan is shut. up, if construed af-
ter the manner of the same emblem, in ch. 6 : 10 (fifth
seal) — and I see no reason to the contrary — may be
like the coming of Elijah in the person of John the
Baptist, only in '^ spirit and power." (Compare Mai.
4 : 5 with Luke 1 : 17, and Matt. 11: 14.) They not
only lived, but reigned, while the souls of the wicked,
or rest of the dead, have no antitypes until the thou-
sand years are ended, at which time the "seal" or gov-
ernment, which is the kingdom of the saints (Dan. 7 :
22) erected upon the ruins of idolatry, will be assailed
by a set of men who shall arise up against the truth for
a " little season" (ver. 3). This time is indefinite. It
may mean a "little time," or 150 years, like the half
time noted in ch. 12 : 11, or the three and half days in
the prophecy of the witnesses (ch. 9 : 9-11), or the
•'short space" of the seventh head (ch. 17 : 10).

In the lapse of a thousand years men will forget

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 469

the mischief of sin, and be more easily seduced to evil
than when they had a fearful experience to admonish
them. But at no time, under urgent temptation, can
experience, conscience, law, or religion be effectual to
check the impetuosity of man or prevent transgressions
and crime. At present, with all the light that a his-
tory of the j udgments of Grod throws upon the conse-
quences of sin, whole nations will dare his vengeance ;
Avith all the light that prophecy fulfilled sheds upon the
future, men, by multitudes and armies, rush into the
vortex of crime, and concentrate upon themselves the
judgments of the Almighty. What will prevent it
when prophecy is disbelieved, and experience is un-
heeded or forgotten ? During this thousand years'
reign of the saints " with Christ," or in a government
founded upon the principles of Scripture and adminis-
tered in righteousness, the Church will be unmolested.
The advantages of such a condition during so long a pe-
riod, when, to begin with, through the whole world, the
arts, sciences, and means of commercial and inland
communication, shall be in such a perfect state as the
tendency of improvements at present seems to indicate
that they will have arrived at in two or three centuries
to come, must be immense, perhaps to us inconceivable.
Eeyiett. — From a consideration of the emblems of
the foregoing Scripture, I infer that there is to be a
millennium, or happy period when the church of Jesus
shall enjoy a Sabbath of uninterrupted prosperity and
repose, of at least one thousand years. During this
period all the enemies of God will be kept in check by
his grace, through the instrumentality of a wisely ad-
ministered government, which shall be kept strictly to
its legitimate ends, distilling its blessings, like the dews
of heaven, upon all, showing partiality to none. Un-
der such a system, slavery and oppression will be done
away, virtue and talents will form the only distinctions
among men. This is the first resurrection, a time de-
voutly to be prayed for, when politico-religious estab-

470 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC KEVELATION.

lishments shall be unknown. Universal peace and
good-will shall be cultivated by all nations, and, as
righteousness will prevail, God will withhold his judg-
ments, and providential calamities be almost, and per-
haps entirely suspended. Good feelings, long culti-
vated, will grow into principles; principles will be
matured by practice, and the condition of the world
will be as happy as a temporal state can well attain to.
Sobriety and temperance will lengthen human life;
morality will insure safety and prevent fear; confi-
dence will beget love ; the attention of men will hence
be directed to the cultivation of the arts of peace ; in-
dustry will afford a competency, and as famine will
not torture the poor, or war give employment to the
energies of men, human society will be in as complete
a state of perfection as the powers of human nature,
aided by the Christian religion, can support.

It may be added that from what we gather from
preceding chapters (ch. 19, &c.) and other portions of
Scripture, it is highly probable the Jews will be the
instruments and examples in this desirable and highly
prosperous state of society, when the dominion under
the whole heavens shall be given to the saints of the
Most High.

Verse 8. — And shall go out to deceive the' nations which are
in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog,* to gather them
together to battle ; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Verse 9. — And they went up on the breadth^ of the earth, and
compassed'' the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city :
and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Verse 10. — And the devil that deceived them^ was cast into
the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the f^ilse pro-
phet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

1 Eze. 88 : 2, 15 ; 89 : 1 ; ch. 16 : 14.

^ Gog and Magog, in Eze. 39 : 2, come from the ' North parts,' or sides
of the North, but here from the " four quarters" of the earth.

2 Gen. 19 : 24 ; Ex. 9 : 23 ; 2 Kings 6 : 18 ; Ps. 48 : 1 ; Mi. 2 : 13 ; Hab.
1:6; Mat. 16 : 16 ; Heb. 13 : 13.

»• Surrounded.

3 Dan. 7 : 11 ; ch. 14 : 10, 11 ; 19 : 20.

OUTLIISES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 471

Emblems of the Text. — City (ch. 11 : 1-3). City
is the emblem of a society, body -politic, or combina-
tion of people or nations. It may also symbolize the
policy, religion, or morals of a society or country.

Fire. The symbol of zeal, pestilence, &c. (ch. 4 : 5,
and 10 : 1, &c.).

Devil is one of the names given to the leader among
the enemies of God in the spirit world. The meaning
of the word is calumniator or accuser, and may here
be put for the visible agent in the last grand apostacy
and rebellion against the government of Christ on
earth.

Lake of fire and brimstone. In the overthrow of
Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19), fire fell from heaven
and burned the cities, the foundation of which sunk,
and formed a lake filled with sulphurous water. Hence
the fall of those burning cities into a lake, by which
they were obliterated from the earth and totally blotted
out of existence, is a striking emblem — 1st, of utter
destruction; and 2d, complete annihilation of power
and influence.

Eemarks. — After a thousand years of uninter-
rupted prosperity, an attempt will be made to overturn
the kingdom God had set up upon earth. The object
will be to conquer the church, and overthrow the civil
government which had operated as a " seal" against
the evils of anarchy and persecution. But God has
promised that his kingdom, when once set up, shall
not be given to others ; and true to ancient prophecy,
it is here foretold that God will interfere by " fire from
heaven" or consuming pestilence, and destroy for ever
and without reserve the whole forces of his enemies,
with the devil who deceived them.

This army are the antitype of the rest of the dead,
who lived not again until the thousand years are
ended (ver. 5).

Gog and Magog. There has been much speculation
concerning the precise intention of these words. Refer-

472 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC llEVELATION.

ence is several times made in Scripture to a people or
nation called Gog and Magog, as the enemies of God.
The second son of Japheth, the youngest son of Noah,
was named Magog, but from what race these nations
sprung or where they are now to be found is matter of
conjecture. There is no reliable information on the sub-
ject. The arguments employed on this point, if admitted,
would prove or disprove any thing the writers might
wish. But from their description in Ezekiel, ch. 38th, it
may be safe to say they were a people from the north-
ward of Palestine (Eze. 38 : 6.) They or their leaders (or
guard), Eze. ch. 88 : 7, are from the north quarters. This
country is at present, both in Europe and Asia, in the
hands of the Bussians, who may be the Bosh or " chief
prince" named in verse 2d of Eze. 38.

Whatever visible engines or tangible instruments
of opposition or power may be symbolized under the
terms, " Satan, Devil, Dragon," &c., whether idolatry
or idolatrous governments, it is evident, from literal
passages of Scripture, that there is an unseen but ra-
tional and active agent moving the passions of the
human heart, and seducing the spirits of men to evil.
That this invisible foe is the prime mover of all perse-
cutions, apostacies, and deceptions cannot be disproved.
But that he is eventually to be entirely subdued and
deprived of his influence over the world, is a consoling
promise of the Hol}^ Spirit.

The devil shall go out to deceive the nations. If in reli-
gion one man deceive another, both are to blame ; be-
cause both the deceiver and his dupe have an equal
chance to know the truth. If the blind lead the blind,
both fall — both are at fault. So here, although the
nations are deceived, they are destroyed, and the devil
that deceived them is also taken and effectually secured.

Camp of the saints. When Satan is loosed from im-
prisonment, he goes up to deceive the nations and is
successful. They come out to war. They are deceived.
They become discontented. They are stirred up by

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 473

the deceiver. They make war, not upon each other,
but against the saints. Like the king of Grecia (Dan.
8 : 5), they go up from the breadth of the earth. They
surround the camp of the saints. How does it come
that the saints have a camp ? Is it a camp for war ?
Will they resist if assailed ? Will they defend if at-
tacked ? If we have human governments, they must
be maintained by human means. If we would secure
permanent settlements, civilization, and the arts ; if we
would support the regulations of society, or maintain
the rules of social intercourse, it must be done by force.
If invaded, the invaders must be resisted ; if violated,
the violators must be coerced to acquiescence by phy-
sical means. God approved of the saints having a
camp, and he defended them.

Verse 1 1 . — And I saw a great white throne,' and him that sat
on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away ; and
there was found no place for them.

Verse 1 2. — And I saw the dead, small and'' great, stand before
God ; and the books were opened : and another book was opened,
which is the book of life : and the dead were judged out of those
things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Verse 13. — And the sea gave up the dead^ which were in it;
and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them : and
they were judged every man according to their works.

Verse 14. And death and hell were cast* into the lake of fire.
This is the second death.

Verse 15. — And whosoever was not found^ written in the book
of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Emblems of the Text. — White throne. The sym-
bol of dominion and authority ; and vihite, the emblem
of righteousness and justice (ch. 3 : 6, and 6 : 8, &c.).

1 Dan. 2 : 35 ; 2 Pet. 3:10; ch. 12: 8.

2 Ex. 32 : 32 ; Ps. 62 : 13 ; 69 : 29 ; Jer. 17 : 10 ; 32 : 19 ; Dan. 7 : 10 ;
Mat. 16 : 27 ; Eom. 2 : 6 ; 14 : 12 ; 1 Cor. 3 : 8 ; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:5;
Phil. 4:3; ch. 2 : 23 ; 3:5; 13:8; 21 : 27 ; 22 : 12.

3 Hos. 13 : 14; John 5 : 28 ; 1 Cor. 15: 50-55; ch. 6 : 8.

4 1 Cor. 15 : 26, 54, 55 ; ch. 2 : 11 ; 21 : 8.

5 Mat. 25 : 41 ; Mark 16 : 16 ; John 3 : 18 ; Acts 4 : 12 ; Heb. 2 : 3 ; 1
John 5 : 12.

474 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

Earth (ch. 5 : 10, &c.). The emblem of political
power and worldly authority.

Heaven. The church ; the kingdom of heaven.

Book. Book of life (ch. 3 : 6, and 5 : 1).

Sea. The emblem of people, nations, and countries.

Death (2 : 23, and 6 : 8, &c.). The emblem of idol-
atry, infidelity, and apostacy.

Hell (ch. 6 : 8). Emblem of the open opposers of true
religion.

Lake of fire. The figure or symbol of destruction,
desolation, utter extermination (v. 10), "second death,"
"torment."

Keview of the Emblems. — From the foregoing
we are led to anticipate, at the close of the thousand
years' millennium, a renewed struggle between the
church and its enemies, in which God will interfere by
" fire from heaven," and give the victory to the saints.
Up to that time a distinction will be maintained be-
tween the church and political government. These
both, as they shall then exist, will be entirely extin-
guished to make way for a better state of things. The
" sea," or the distinction of nations, will be destroyed,
with all its influences and all its evils. " Death and
hell, Gr. Thanatos and Hades, shall reveal or give up
their dead — that is, idolatry and infidelity shall there
end, and their influence be destroyed, as shall every
thing that is not written in the book of the Lamb's
life. Every thing shall here be destroyed that is un-
supported by Scripture.

Sea. All who had been slain, or, as in the figure,
all who had been drowned or swallowed up in the rage
of politics, the excitement of revolutions, the jealousy
and zeal of state and nations, came forth.

Death (see ch. 6 : 8 ; Hosea 13 : 14). Death is the
emblem of false religion and apostacy. All slain
through the agency of these are brought together to
judgment.

Hell^ the emblem of infidelity and the open oppos-

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC KEVELATION. 475

ers of religion. It is evident men may adopt and pro-
fess a false religion, and even idolatry, without oppos-
ing any other, because, 1st, they may not have the
power or courage ; 2d, they may not have the chance
of active opposition. Hell is also, 1st, Iladcs, or the
place or state of departed spirits (Acts 2:27; Ps. 16 :
10) ; 2d, the grave, or place and state of the dead (Gen.
87 : 35) ; 3d, deep and dreadful sorrows (Ps. 16 : 10 ;
18:5; Jonah 2:2); -Ith, the whole forces of the wicked,
visible and invisible (Matt. 16 : 18) ; 5th, the state or
place of punishment in another world (Matt. 10 : 28 ;
Mark 9 : 4A-4S ; Isa. 66 : 24; Luke 16 : 23, &c.). But
in this text, hell is used as a metaphor, to express that
which is the cause of sin and punishment. To close
up the career of sin and crime a throne of power and
justice is erected, upon which one sits, of such match-
less purity and holiness, that nothing is comparable
with him. The church is no more, the Son gives up
the kingdom to the Father, and the judgment of the
great day arrives, which had been so long determined
upon, so often promised ; by many so much hoped for,
and so often dreaded by others. The dead stand be-
fore God, and are judged, every man according to his
works. All this seems to be the resurrection of the
"rest of the dead who lived not till the thousand years
were ended" (ver. 5), and is the second resurrection, in
which only the wicked are judged, for none, either
" small or great," are represented as being present, but
those who were " not found written in the book of
life," although the book of life was opened, to see that
none of them were written there.

The sea gave wp, and death and hell, &c. If this thir-
teenth verse had been intended as of a literal act, and
if the receding earth and the departing heavens of
verse 11 is to be explained and understood in the same
way, then the resurrection was before the departure
and annihilation of the earth ; for if the earth had
been destroyed, the sea would have gone with it. But

476 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION.

if we explain these terms as emblems, of a similar im-
port as in other places, then the construction is natu-
ral and easy ; but if we vary from the admitted and
settled meaning of the symbol, the construction be-
comes confused and blind, the interpretation difficult,
and the objections invincible.

CHAPTER XXI.

The New Jerusalem described.

Verse 1. — And I saw a new heaven and a new* earth :' for the
first heaven and the first earth were passed away ; and there was
no more sea.

Emblems of the Text. — Heaven^ the church, &c.
(ch. 4 : 2 ; 8 : 13).

Earthy nations, governments (ch. 5 : 10).

Sea, people ; the division of states and confusion of
languages (ch. 13 : 1 ; 15 : 2, &c.).

Observations. — The new heaven is a new church,
and the new earth represents a new state or system of
political government ; and the absence of the sea indi-
cates that there will not again be any division of na-
tions and religious sects, or an adulterous connection
between them. Differ as this may from the literal con-
struction sometimes placed upon this text, and differ as
it will from the mixed construction of figure and fact in
which the same words are often involved and blended
by other writers, I do not feel at liberty to force an
exposition, either to sustain my own opinion, or to ca-
ter to the theory of others. Nor dare I thus trifle with

^ Isa. 67 : 17 ; 66 : 22 ; 2 Pet. 2 : 13.

* I saw the new heaven and the new earth.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 477

Scripture. The meaning and proper construction of
these emblems were settled before their adoption in the
Revelation. They have not been varied since. They
cannot be, because they are the language of nature and
the voice of God. Were we disposed, we could not
force the sense of Scripture from its natural channel.
We may ourselves deviate, but the word of God will
not. History will corroborate prophecy, and prophecy
will foretell history. Reason, therefore, dictates that we
rightly explain, and not pervert, the language of the
text. A perversion will never inform or enlighten the
understanding, or in the least change the purpose of
God in the fulfilment. It is for our interest, therefore,
to know the truth, and it may work our disadvantage
to rem^ain in ignorance. If we know the truth, we
may provide for it ; but by error we are perplexed,
and our labors lost.

Verse 2. — And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, com-
ing down from God,' out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned
for her husband.

Note. — That we may better understand the plan
of these prophetic transactions, let us review some of
the back chapters. The Revelator, after stating (ch.
13) that two beasts arose, the one from the sea and the
other from the earth, and that the latter was an image
of the former, opened another vision in which he names
the first beast " Babylon, the great city" (ch. 14 : 8),
and, in chapter 17, gives a full account of her religious
depravity under the figure of a voluptuous, cruel, and
drunken harlot. In chapter 18, he describes her as for-
saken of her paramours, deprived of her wealth, and
brought to a calamitous end. By a variety of meta-
phors and emblems, the whole is explained of an apos-
tate and heretical church, which was to continue 1260

ilsa. 52:1; 54:5; 2 Cor 11: 2; Gal. 4 : 2G ; Heb. 11 : 10; 12 : 12 ;
13: U;ch. 3: 12; 21: 10.

478 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC HEVELATIOIST,

years in a politico-religious union with the civil arm, a
woe to the earth and a curse to the world. So, fol-
lowing a like plan, he brings forward the true church
(ch. 14 : 4) under the figure of a company of virgins.
In chapter 19, he exhibits the joy of a great company
in heaven announcing the marriage of the Lamb, whose
bride has made herself ready. In this chapter (21) the
bride, already married, is represented under the em-
blem of a city, the New Jerusalem (in contrast with
Babylon the Great), which is further explained in
chap. 22 : 5.

Yerse 3. — And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying,
Behold, the^ tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with
them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with
them, and be their God.

Verse 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from'' their eyes:
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither
shall there be any more pain ; for the former things are passed
away.

Verse 5. — And he that sat upon the throne^ said. Behold, I
make all things new. And he said unto me, Write ; for these
words are true and faithful.

Verse 6. — And he said unto me. It is done.^ I am Alpha and
Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is
athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Emblems of the Text. — Voice, discussion, debates,
&c.

In heaven. The church (ch. 8 : 13, &c.).

Tabernacle (ch. 13 : 6) is a mansion or residence ; a
temporary residence or casual dwelling. As the resi-
dence of God, it may symbolize the church in its tem-
poral visible form ; " with men,^^ a spiritual relation,
like that described in 2 Cor. 6 : 16. (See chap. 7 : 17.)

1 Lev. 26 : 11 ; Eze. 43 : 7 ; 2 Cor. 6 : 16.

2 Isa. 25 : 8 ; 35 : 10 ; 61 : 3 ; 65 : 19 ; 1 Cor. 15 : 26, 54 ; ch. 7 : 17 ; 20 :
14.

3 Isa. 43 : 19 ; 2 Cor. 5 : 17 : ch. 4 : 2, 9 ; 5:1; 19:9; 20 : 12 ; 22 : 6,

4 Isa. 12 : 3 ; 41:4; 44 : 6 ; 55 : 1 ; John 4 : 10, 14 ; 7 : 87 : ch. 1 : 8 ;
16: 17: 22: 18-17.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 479

Water of Life. Waters that flow constantly are
said to be living waters. Water, from its natural pu-
rity, its cleansing and refreshing nature, is an emblem
of, 1st, affluence and joy ; 2d, on account of its vast-
ness, turbulence and noise, is a symbol of people, mul-
titudes and nations.

Al2:)ha and Omega (see ch. 1 : 8).

No more death. Under the seals and trumpets, tem-
poral death and spiritual sorrow was the cup of the
saints. Judgment began at the house of God. After
the millennial state, when Satan is cast into the lake of
fire, there shall be no more "idolatry" or "apostacy,"
and the saints will not again feel the pangs which have
wrung the hearts of the disciples under the trying
reign and unholy wars of the beasts. From before the
" white throne" all these causes of sorrow and com-
plaint will be carried away like the chafP of the sum-
mer threshing-floor.

These words are true and faithful^ or, as in chap. 19 :
9, These are the true sayings of God.

It is done. That is, the Eevelation here closes ; what
follows is but an illustration of the prophecy before
given.

I am Alpha and Omega. By comparing this and
verse 7 with ch. 1 : 8, 18, it will be seen that the Alpha
and Omega of this text is the God of the seventh
verse, the Lord Almighty of chap. 1 : 8, and he that
liveth and was dead, of chap. 1 : 18. These emblems
and illustrations convey, and undoubtedly were in-
tended to convey, the idea of a being the most exalted
and supreme in the universe. Certainly, the name of
Jehovah is in him.

Verse 7.— He that overcometh shall inherit' all things; and I
will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Verse 8.— But the fearful, and unbelieving,'^ and the aboniina-

1 Zech. 8:8; Heb. 8 : 10.

2 John 3 : 36 ; 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5 : 5 ; 1 Tim. 1:9; Heb.
}2: 14; eh. 20 : 14, 15; 22: 15.

480 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC EEVELATION.

ble, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters,
and all liar.-, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with
fire and brimstone : which is the second death.

Emblems of the Text. — Overcometh. Here is a
general promise to the seven churclies, and through
them to every creature, that he that overcometh shall
inherit all things, or these things.

But the fearful^ &c. Here is a general threatening
to the disobedient, whatever may have been their
temptations or excuses. The deceptive sorcerer and
wily hypocrite with the brazen-faced liar, the self-right-
eous moralist, with the faithless and abominable, the
fearful, soft, and indolent with the daring murderer,
the sly and fashionable whoremonger with the open
and corrupting idolater.

Kote. — The first that is said of the throne is in
eh. 4 : 2. That was set in heaven, and one sat on it.
No description of color or size is given of that throne.
Afterwards, voices proceeded out from the throne (ch.
16: 17) ; but no speech from him that sat on it, who
now makes all things new.

The throne is first set in [the kingdom of] heaven,
but here " among men."

Here ends the full history of the things which had
been seen, and the things which were and the things
which were to be (ch. 1 : 19), with the general promise
to the faithful, and threatenings to the filthy and the
vile.

Ee MAKES. — Succeeding the fall of the beasts is a
calm of a thousand years, when the peace of the world
is again disturbed by those headstrong and fiery spirits
that are determJned to rule or ruin. But they fall.
Beyond the millennium a state of glory awaits the
saints, to which that law bears but a faint comparison.
That is the New Jerusalem state. At that time, all
things are made new. The heavens and the earth, or
the present form of the church, which is to continue
through the millennium, with the then existing govern

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 481

ment, are to be entirely changed, and a still better
state of things succeed when the tabernacle of God
shall be with men.

The mystery of Grod is now nearly complete. The
arguments for and against Christianity nearly made up.
Before the close of the present century, it will be so
far finished as to enter upon its last trial, after which
the church can never again be bewildered by apostacy,
or subjected and reduced to human laws.

Vekse 9. — And there came unto me one of the' seven angels,
which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked
with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's
wife.

Verse 10. — And he carried me away in the spirit'^ to a great
and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jeru-
salem, descending out of heaven from God,

Verse 11. — Having the glory of God : and her^ ligiit was like
unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crvs-
tal.

Emblems of the Text. — Mountain^ the symbol of
governments, political states (ch. 6 : 12 ; 8:9, &c.).
Oity^ the emblem of a nation, people, &c. (ch. 11 :

Heaven^ the place of God s spiritual rule ; the
church.

Jasper (ch. 4 : 3), a pellucid gem.

Crystal (ch. 4 : 6), a transparent stone or fossil,

Eemarks. — The description of this messenger of
the plagues is the same as the one that showed John
the harlot of the wilderness (ch. 17 : 1). But he is not
said to be the same. He takes John to a great and
mighty government, whence he beheld the " holy city,"
or a righteous peoph formed in the church, voluntarily
descending [to the earth or place where John stood],
so that he measured their greatness and the limits of

• Ch. 15: 1,6, 7; 10: 7.

2 Gal. 4: 26: Heb. 12: 23; ch. 1 ; 10; 3 : 12 ; 17:3; 21 : 3.

3 Job. 28 : 17 ; Isa. 4:5; Eze. 1 : 22 ; 43 : 35 ; ch. 4 : 6 ; 22 : 1.

21

482

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

their power and authority. The meaning seems to be,
that after the revulsions and revolutions which inter-
rupt and put a period to the millennium, the people of
God, under his special guidance, shall assume the gov-
ernment of the Avorld for a great length of time, the
duration of which is unrevealed, and therefore un-
known (ch. 22 : 5).

This description of the New Jerusalem appears to
be a contrast drawn between the government of God's
people and the government of the apostate chu.rch. I
will therefore institute a comparison between them.

Ch. 17:1.
There came one of the seven
angels which had the seven vials,
and talked with me, saying unto
me. Come hither ; I will shew unto
thee the judgment of the great
whore that sitteth upon many
waters.

Ch. i:

So he carried me

away in the spirit into the wilder-
ness ; and I saw a woman sit upon
a scarlet colored beast. Ch. 17 :
18. The woman which thou sawest
is that great city which reigneth
over the kings of the earth.

Ch. 17 : 4. And the woman was
arrayed in purple and scarlet co-
lor, and decked with gold and
precious stones.

Ch. 17 : 4. And the woman
having a golden cup in her hand,
full of abominations and filthiness
of her fornications.

Ch. 17 : 6. And I saw the wo-
man drunken with the blood of
the saints and with the blood of
the martyrs of Jesus. Ch. 18 : 3.
All nations have drunk of the
wine of the wrath of hev fovnica.^
tion.

Ch. 21 : 9.
And there came unto me one of
the seven angels, which had the
seven vials full of the seven last
plagues, and talked with me, say-
ing. Come hither, I will shew thee
the bride, the Lamb's wife.

Ch. 21 : 10. And he carried me
away in the spirit to a great and
high mountain, and shewed me
that great city, the holy Jerusa-
lem, descending out of heaven
from God.

Ch. 21 : 18, 19. And the build-
ing of the wall of it was of jasper :
and the city was pure gold, like
unto clear glass ; and the founda-
tions of the city were garnished
with all manner of precious stones.

Ch. 21 : 27. And there shall in
no wise enter into it any thing
that defileth, neither whatsoever
worketh abomination or maketh
a lie,

Ch. 22 : 1. And he shewed me
a pure river of water of life, clear
as crystal, proceeding out of the
throne of God and of the Lamb iq
the rnidst of the street of it.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 483

Chap. 18 : 6. Her sins have Ch. 22: 3. And there shall be

reached wnto heaven, and God no more curse ; but the throne of

hath remembered her iniquities. God and of the Lamb shall be in

it and his servants shall serve him.

Ch. 18: 21. With violence Ch. 22: 5. And there shall be

shall that great city, Babylon, be no night there : and they need no

thrown down, and be found no candle, neither light of the sun ;

more at all. Ver. 23. And the for the Lord God giveth them

light of a candle shall shine no light ; and they shall reign for ever

more at all in thee. and ever.

Note — It must be evident tliat neither of these
are descriptions of cities themselves, but of the reli-
gions and governments thej illustrate. They are de-
scriptions of the rise, progress and duration of the prin-
ciples they symbolize. The history of the one is to be
sought in the laws, customs, and vices of fallen and apos-
tate men, who have opposed their own wisdom and self-
ishness to the will of God. The history of the other is
to be found in the spiritual organization of the church,
the principles of the Gospel, and the lives of her devout
and pious members.

In the contrast, we see the appearance, progress,
and destiny of papal Rome, with her image, the beast
from the earth, and its seven heads, and we see also
the Christian church in her incipient state, her exalta-
tion and glory, and her reign for ever and ever.

In the beast we see the index and patron of all
that is perverse and hateful in false religion, the centre
and nucleus of all that is despotic and oppressive in
pride and worldly authority. In the bride, the New
Jerusalem, all that is pure and lovely in worship, per-
fect in knowledge, and prosperous in perpetual glory.

The prophecy of Babj^lon is hastening with rapid
step to its consummation, and as the beast was the
wonder, so shall Jerusalem become the praise of the
whole earth.

484 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION".

Verse 12. — And had a wall great and high, and had twelve
gates, and at the gates twelve* angels,'' and names written thereon,
which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

V^ERSE 13. — On the east three gates ; on the north' three gates ;
on the south three gates ; and on the west three gates.

Verse 14. — And the wall of the city had twelve^ foundations,
and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Verse 15. — And he that talked with me had^ a golden reed to
measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

Verse 16. — And the city lieth four-square, and the^ length is
as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed,
twelve thousand furlongs.^ The length, and the breadth, and the
height of it are equal.

Verse 17. — And he measured the wall thereof,^ an hundred
and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that
is, of the angel.

Emblems of the Text. — Wall, the symbol of pro-
tection and security.

Gate. The gate is the door of a city, castle, palace
or court; it is also put for an avenue, passage or road.
It is therefore used, in a figurative sense, to represent
the thing to which it may be an opening or defence.
It is also put for the forum^ court of justice, and public
market.

Twelve tribes of Israel (see ch. 7).

Foundation is the basis or lower part of an edifice,
the principles of a theory, the origin or beginning of
a thing, and in politico-religious establishments, a set-
tled revenue or charity.

Twelve Apostles. (Compare Matt. 10 : 2-4, with
Acts 1 : 26. See, also, ch. 1 : 20 ; 2 : 2-3.)

jReed. 1st, a limber and fragile stalk, the emblem

1 Ezra 9:9; Neh. 12 : 27 ; Eze. 48 : 31 ; Mat. 18 : 10 ; Acts 26 : 7 ;
Heb. 1 : 14.

=^ (See Gen. 8: 24). The clierubim were stationed at the east of tli©
garden of Eden, after the expulsion of Adam.

2 Eze. 48 : 31-34.

3 Mat. 16 : 13 ; Gal. 2:9; Eph. 2 : 9-20.

4 Eze. 40: 3; Zecb. 2 : 1.

5 Eph. 3:16; John 14 : 2.

i> i. e., the entire circuit of the city being 3,000 upon a side.

6 Cb. 7: 4: 14:3.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 485

of fickleness and insecurity (Isa. 36 : 6 ; Eze. 29 : 7) :
2nd, a measuring rule (2 Cor. 10: 13, 16 ; Zecb. 2 : l\
5, &c.), and is the emblem of title, possession, right;
Gr. /caXa/LLo^ (ch. 11 : 1),

Twelve tliousand furlongs^ that is, three thousand
upon a side, and a tliousand from gate to gate, being
375 miles square. " The length, and breadth, and
height of it are equal." A country 375 miles square
contains 140,525 square miles. Ancient Canaan, at its
largest extent, from Dan on the north to Beersheba and
the Arabian desert on the south, is not reckoned above
200 miles in length, and from west to east about 80
miles, containing 16,000 square miles, and was some
larger than the three states of Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, and Connecticut. To this was added by the
conquests of David, Syria, to the confines of Persia
and the Euxine Sea ; thence down the Euphrates and
Tigris to the Indian Ocean, and westwardly to the Red
Sea and Egypt, embracing and forming a territory
equal to that named in the text, as the measure of this
city.

Height may refer only to computation, and mean
only that the measure of the length and breadth were
equal, for in verse 17 the wall is expressl}^ measured,
and the height is given at 144 cubits, which shows
that in verse 16, he did not intend to say that the city
was any higher than the Avail.

Angel. One stood at each gate (verse 12). Angel
is the messenger of his employer, the prevailing spirit
of any particular era. The officer of a church, the
governor of a nation, &c. (ch. 1 : 1).

Review. — The security and defence of this city are
the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its gates
open to the four Avinds of heaven ; but they are pro-
tected by the strength of the twelve tribes of Israel
(Ex. 15 : 2 ; Ps. 46 : 1 ; Rev. 12 : 10, &c.).

486 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Verse 18. — And the building of the wall' of it was of jasper;
and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

The "building " or material of the wall was of jas-
per, and the city of transparent gold. Jasper is of va-
rious colors, sometimes transparent (ch. 4:8); the pre-
dominant color is a "bright, beautiful green, clouded
with red, sometimes of a grayish white, like marble,
shaded with green or red. It is a hard stone, and is
found in large quarries or masses in Asia and Europe,
and admits of a fine polish."

The jasper represented Benjamin in the high priest's
breastplate, and signifies, according to his name (Gren.
85 : 18), "my right-hand man," and, according to the
blessing of Jacob (Gen. 49 : 27), a victor or successful
warrior ; in the blessing of Moses (Deut. 33 : 12), " be- ,
loved of the Lord ;" so that the name of this city is
" Beloved " and " God is my strength."

An ancient writer (Naumach) says, the "purple
jacinth and the green jasper."

Verse 19. — And the foundations of the wall of the city^ were
garnished'' with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation
was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the
fourth, an emerald.

The first foundation -was Jasper (ver. 18). We
have no information upon which foundation either of
the names of the Apostles were written. This was the
emblem of Benjamin, the emblem of love and pros-
perity. The emblems of the foundations are not in
the order of the tribes that were sealed.

The second foundation was Sapi^hire. The sapphire
was for the tribe of Dan. It is a precious stone of a
bright sky-blue color, sometimes pointed or speckled
with gold. The name of Dan signifies " a troop com-

1 See on verses 11, 19 and 21.

2 Ex. 28 : 17 ; 29 : 10 ; Job 28 : 16 ; Pr. 3 : 15 ; Isa. 54 : 11.
* Adorned.

OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC REVELATION. 487

eth," or "judgment." In the blessing of Jacob, Dan
is commended for wisdom and subtlety, (Gen. 49 :
17). In that of Moses (Deut. 33 : 22), for boldness and
strength. So that in this the sapphire is the emblem
of durability or perseverance, and wisdom, and per-
haps for honor or government.

Chalcedony^ or Carhunde. This was assigned to
Levi in the breast-plate of the High Priest. The
chalcedone was of the agate species, shines in the
dark, and is of the color of red-hot iron, a yellowish
red. In the blessing of Jacob, Levi is blamed for cru-
elty and is divided in Israel ; but in Moses he is
praised as striving for the truth ; so that this founda-
tion is an emblem of zeal, resolution and activity.

Emerald. This stone is of a grass green. In the
breastplate it v,^as assigned to Judah. In the blessing
of Jacob (Gen. 9 : 8), the government is intrusted to
Judah and of the giving or preservation of the law ;
and in that of Moses his blessing is dependence on
God. So that the emerald is an emblem of faith, power,
and honor.

Verse 20. — The fifth, sardonyx ; the sixth, sardius; the sev-
enth, chrysolite; the eighth,' beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth,
a chrysoprasus ; the eleventh, a jacinth ; the twelfth, an amethyst.

Sardonyx. The sardonyx is red, interspersed with
undulating white streaks, but is not spoken of by that
name in the breastplate of the high priest.

The sixth, Sardius. The color of the sardius is
deep red. This, on the breastplate, was given to
Eeuben. In the blessing of Jacob, Eeuben is re-
proached with having a good appearance and personal
dignity, but being deceptive and unstable. ^ Moses as-
signs him populousness and long life. It is emblem-
atical of popularity and strength, or success.

The seventh, Chrysolite. This was deep yellow, of

' Ex. 28 : 17-19 ; Job 28 : 19 ; Eze. 28 : 13 ; Dan. 5: 14 ; ch. 9 : 17.

488 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

the nature of topaz, but not found by tliat name in the
breastplate.

Beryl The name of Zebulun was engraved upon
this. It is a precious stone of a sea-green color. In
.the blessing of Jacob, to Zebulun is assigned the navi-
gation and commerce of the ocean. By Moses, he is
made to rejoice in his going out, or in his voyages. So
that the beryl is the emblem of freedom, lofty know-
ledge, and plenty.

The ninth, a Topaz. This was given to Simeon, who
was the seventh sealed (ch. 7). Topaz is a pale yel-
low, like some kinds of foliage, frosted in autumn, bat
sometimes it is the color of gold. In the blessing of
Jacob, he is blamed with Levi for cruelty and impru-
dence, but is not named in the blessing of Moses. The
topaz is transparent, and is seldom larger than a pin-
head, and is very precious. It is an emblem of bold-
ness and zeal.

Chrysoprasus. This precious stone is found of va-
rious degrees of excellency ; usually of a yellowish
green, transparent, and sometimes dotted with gold. In
some specimens the green predominates, in others the
yellow ; but is not named in the breastplate.

The eleventh, a Jacinth. The jacinth is in Gr. "hia-
cinth," vdKLv^o<i. It is a hard, precious stone, resem-
bling the amethyst. Specimens of various kinds are
exhibited claiming the name. Some of them light
blue and transparent, others of a reddish purple color,
and some have a yellowish tinge. This stone is not
well defined by geologists.

The twelfth foundation an Amethyst. This on the
breastplate is given to Issachar. Amethysts are of va-
rious colors. Some are a violet purple, others a deep
purple, others paler, and some nearly white. Those of
Asia are very hard, of a deep purple, and most valu-
able. In the blessing of Jacob are given strength,
riches and patience, and in the blessing of Moses he is
commended for industry. It is therefore the symbol

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 489

of industry, stability, and patience. Issachar is the
ninth sealed (ch. 7),

So that we have in these emblems, the virtues of
perseverance and wisdom, resolution and activity, faith
and honor, popularity and success, knowledge and
freedom, boldness and zeal, stability and patience.
The city is paved with gold; around her are the
munitions of rocks, the protection of the everlasting
arms.

Vekse 21. — And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, every
several gate was of one pearV and the street of the city was pure
gold, as it were transparent glass.

Pearls are hard white substances found in some
shell-fishes. Pearls shine in the dark and admit of a
high polish. Some of them are elegantly tinged with
a blush of crimson (see Job 28 : 18). In some places
in Scripture the word is translated ruby. The king-
dom of heaven is compared to it (Matt. 13 : 46). Upon
each, gate was the name of one of the tribes of Israel.
The twelve apostles of the Lamb were the apostles to
the twelve tribes. Paul being the apostle to the Gen-
tiles, and the messenger to the nations (ch. 14 : 6).
Hence this bridal city has some reference to the twelve
tribes in their gospel state. Their conversion is yet
future (ch. 19 : 4).

Verse 22. — And I saw no temple therein ; for the Lord' God
Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

In verse 3, it was said that the tabernacle of God
is with men, but he has no temple in the New Jerusa-
lem, being himself its temple, and dwelling with men,
who are made kings and priests unto God and the
Lamb. They offer spiritual sacrifices, every man for

^ 1 Kings C : 20 ; Isa. 60 : 17 ; Mat. 13 : 45 : ch. 17 : 4 ; IS : 16 ; 22 : 2.
2 1 Kings 8 : 27 ; 2 Ch. 2:6; Isa. 66 : 1 ; John 4 : 2:J.
21*

490 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Mmself approaching God, who is a Spirit, and cannot
be worshipped by the works of men's hands.

There is no priesthood nnder the Gospel dispensa-
tion nor in the bridal city. It is retained only by the
idolatrous.

Verse 23. — Ar.d the city had no need of the sun,' neither of
the moon, to shine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it, and the
lamb is the light^ thereof.

Verse 24. — And the nations of them which are~ saved shall
walk in the light of it : and the kings of the earth do bring their
glory and honor into it

Verse 25. — And the gates of it shall not be^ shut at all by day :
for there shall be no night there.

Verse 26. — And they shall bring the glory and honor of the
nations into it.

Verse 27. — And there shall in no wise enter into* it any thing
that detileth,^ neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or makelh a
lie ; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

The city had no need of other lights than that which
proceeded from within herself, for the Lamb, who is the
light of the " glory of God," is the light thereof. As
the sun is not the li2;ht which emanates from it, so the
Lamb is not represented as the glory of God, but the
"light" of his glory. (See Heb. 1 : 8. Eze. 1 : 28.)

As the nations, cotemporary with the harlot, are
represented as drinking of the wine of her wrath, so
here, the nations, cotemporary with the bride, are said
to walk in her light. As the kings in the days of
Solomon sought to hear his wisdom and increase the
splendor of his retinue, so their connection with the
beloved city will be both glorious and honorable.

From the expression, " the Lamb is the light of it,

» Isa. 60 : 18 ; Zedi. 14 : 7 ; cli. 22 : 5.

a Greek Xvxvos., lamp. (See Mat. 5 : 14 ; John 1 : 4.) Greek ^«y,
i. e., light.

2 Isa. 60: 3, 5; 66: 12.

3 Isa. 60 : 11, 20 ; Zech. 14 : 7 ; ch. 3 : 8 ; 22 : 5.

4 Ex. 31: 32; Ps. 69: 29 ; Isa. 66: 3; Joel 3: 7; Phil. 4: 3; ch. 3: 5;
13 : 8 ; 20 : 12 ; 22 : 14, 15.

b Any thing common.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 491

and they need not the sun or moon." that is, they shall
not need the present lights of the church and the world,
I am led to apprehend that prophets and inspired teach-
ers will be raised up, perhaps in perpetual succession,
who will be listened to on all difficult subjects, which
will prevent disputes, and settle questions of interest
which arise among them.

The gates shall not he shut either from fear of the en-
trance of the enemy, or to prevent his escape. The
angels, who guard the gates, will let none enter with-
out his name is written in the Lamb's book of life.

Reflections. — jSTothing presented to the mind of
man, either in the frame of this present world, the pro-
duction of art, or the fancy of a roving and brilliant
imagination, exceeds the incomparable splendor of this
superbly magnificent city. Its dimensions, the mate-
rials of its structure, its defence, its guards, its light,
its worship, are all correspondingly described with an
elegant simplicity which has no parallel. With the
first five verses of the next chapter, the description
closes. But who shall w^alk in the light of that city ?
Who shall enter its consecrated gates? They who
have clean hands and a pure heart, whose names were
written in the book of the life of the Lamb, before the
foundation of the world. These are the called, and
faithful, and chosen.

4^2 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

CHAPTER XXII.

The River of Life. — 6. The Angel attests to John the truth
OF THIS Prophecy.— 8. John attests the truth of the
Record which he has made. — 16. The Salutation to the
Churches. — 2L Benediction.

Verse \. — And he shewed me a pure river of water* of life,
clear as cr3^stal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the
Lamb, into the midst of the street of it.

Verse 2. — And on either side of the river, was there the tree of
life,' which bore twelve^ manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit
every month ; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of
the nations.

Verse 3. — And there shall be no more curse ;^ but the throne of
God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him.

Emblems of the Text. — JRiver. The emblem of
joys, spirit, principles.

Crystal is a hard, pellucid; colorless fossil, or rock,
composed of thin narrow plates or strata, but will not
strike fire with steel. Some sorts of it have been
highly esteemed. The sea of glass (ch. 4 : 6), the light
of the city (ch. 21 : 11), and here the river of life
are compared to it, and in either place is the em-
blem of purity and holiness.

Throne. The emblem of honor, authority, &c. (See
ch. 4 : 2.)

Tree of life. The tree of life is explained in Gene-
sis 3 : 22, as producing a fruit which preserves those
who eat of it from death ; it is therefore the symbol
of immortality.

1 Eze. 47: 1 ; Zecli. 14 : 8 ; ch. 4 : 6.

a Greek ^vKov C«^y, i. e., a tree of life. The original is without the
article.

2 Gen. 2:9; Eze. 47 : 12 ; ch. 2 : 7 ; 21 : 21.

3 Zech. 14 : 11 ; Mat. 25 : 41 ; John 14 : 3.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 493

Leaves denote men (Job. 13 : 25, Isa. 64 : 6). that
the leaves of the tree of life are medicine (Ezek. 47 :
12), that in those things which are sustained or pro-
moted by true religion, are beneficial and salutary to
them who do not embrace religion itself

Every month. That is, a perpetual succession of
fruits.

No more curse. This is contrasted with the plagues
which fell upon the beasts and enemies of God. Those
who will take the pains to read the history of Judea
and of its teeming population in the days of Solomon,
and remember that in addition to all their other
sources of wealth they raised, exported, and sold
wheat, oil-olive, wine and other products (1 Kings 5,
11, &c.), and compare this with its present barren and
desolate condition, when they are " ashamed of its
revenues," will understand something of the mean-
ing and value of the promise that there shall be no
more curse.

Verse 4. — And they shall see his face ; and' his name shall be
in their foreheads.

Verse 5. — And there shall be no night there; and they need
no candle,' neither'^ light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them
light,^ and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Verse 6. — And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and
true. And the Lord^ God of the holy prophets sent his angel to
shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

See his face. In verse 3d, it is said that the throne
of God and of the Lamb shall be in the New Jerusalem,
and his servants shall serve him, and here " they shall
see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads."
It will be seen that God and the Lamb are here spoken

1 Mat. 5 : 8 ; 1 Coi-. 13 : 12 ; 1 John 3:2; chap. 3 : 12 ; 14 : 1.

2 Ps.°36*: 10 ; 84 : 11 ; Isa. GO : 1 ; 19 : 20 ; Rom. 5:17; Zech. 14 : 6, 7 ;
2 Tim. 2:12; ch. 21: 23.

^ Illumines them.

i Ch. 1: 1; 19: 9; 21 : 5.

494 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

of as one, having one throne, and one name which was
upon the foreheads of his servants (ch. 7 : 8, and 13 : 16).

They need no candle. They shall not need the bor-
rowed Hght with which Christianity now fortifies itself,
nor the present light of the church, for they shall re-
ceive light from the Lord.

Shall reign for ever and ever. Gr. Koi PaaCkevaovaiv e/?
Toi)^ aloyva^ tcov amvwv. This phrase, when applicable
to time, signifies an indefinite era of long duration. It
is usually applied in a sense of perpetual existence or
eternity, but it is sometimes taken in a limited sense,
and then signifies a term of time commensurate with
the being or life of the object described.

Here ends the description of the bride, the Lamb's
wife, with a re-assurance that the prophecy is faithful
and true. The solemn repetition of this assurance in-
dicates the importance given to this part of the revela-
tion (ch. 19 : 9).

Vekse 7. — Behold, I come quickly : blessed is he that keepeth
the sayings of the' prophecy of this book.

/ come quickly. This is repeated several times in the
course of the revelation, and four times in this chapter
(verses 7, 10, 12, 20).

Keepeth this prophecy. None else than the prophetic
parts can be kept (ch. 1 : 3).

Verse 8. — And I John saw these things,^ and heard them.
And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the
feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

Verse 9. — Then saith h5 unto me, See thou do it not :^ for
I am thy^ fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of
them which keep the sayings of this book : worship God.

1 Ch. 1: 3; 3:11.

2 Acts 10 : 26 ; 14 : 14 ; 19 : 10.

■^ Gr. opa /xTj. Lat. Vide ne; i. e., See ! not ! (ch. 19: 10).

3 Deut. 4:19; Ex. 34 : 14 ; 2 Kings 17 : 36 ; Ps. 45 : 11 ; Mat. 4:9;
Col. 2: 18; iJohnS: 21.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 495

The prophets. The distinction made by the angel
that he was a fellow-servant with John and his breth-
ren, and of the prophets, and of them which should
keep the sayings of this book, marks a distinction in
time.

1st. The prophets were before John's day, his breth-
ren were cotemporary, and the others were then future,
and the " angel" was a companion of them all, and he
was either the angel of the vial (ch. 21 : 9), or the
angel sent to make the revelation (ch 1 : 1). This
language also marks another distinction. The Hebrew
fathers and prophets, and the Jewish brethren who lived
near John's time, make ujd the bulk of the line of Jacob
who believe before the millennium. The others who
keep the sayings of this book are mostly Gentiles.

Verse 10. — And he saith unto me, Seal not the' sayings of the
prophecy of this book ; for the time is at hand.=^

Verse 1L — He that is unjust, let him bc'^ unjust still ; and he
that is filthy, let him be filthy still ; and he that is righteous, let
him be righteous still ; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Verse 12. — And behold, I come quickly; and^ my reward is
with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Verse 13. — I am Alpha and Omega,'' the beginning^ and the
end, the first and the last.

Verse 14.— Blessed are they that do his commandments, that
they may have right to the tree^ of life, and may enter in through
the gates into the city.

Verse 15. — For without are dog.9, and sorcerers,^ and whore-
mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and
maketh a lie.

Right to the Tree of Life. When Adam broke
his commands, God fenced up the tree of life, and

1 Dan. 8: 26; 12 : 4, 9 ; cli. 1 : 3.
•i Or, nigh.

2 Eze. 3 : 27 ; Dan. 12 : 10 ; 2 Tim. 3 : 13.

3 Isa. 40 : 10 ; 62;: 11 ; Rom. 2:8; 14 : 12 ; ch. 20 : 12.
b Gr. A vai TO n ; i. e.. the A and the 0.

4 Isa. 41 : 4 ; 44 : 6 ; 48 : 12 ; ch. 15 : 8, 11 ; 21 : 6.

5 iJohnS: 23; ch. 2 :7. ^, „ ,„ r. i o .»

6 1 Cor. 6:10; Gal. 5:19; Eph.5:3; 2Thes. 2:10; Col. 8 : 6.

496 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

Adam died (Gen. 3) ; but they that do his commands,
have right to the tree. When the time for his coming
has fully arrived, Christ will suddenly appear, as the
flash of impetuous lightning, and shine from west to
east over all the world, and be able to decide from
" first to last" the merits of every man's work.

Verse 16. — I Jesus have sent mine angeP to testify unto you
these things in the churches.* I am the root and offspring of
David, and the bright and morning star.

Verse 17. — And the Spirit and the bride say,^ Come. And let
him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come.
And whosoever W\\\^ let him take the water of life freely.

Offspring of David (see ch. 5 : 5). David, who de-
scended from Lot and Abraham, by the houses of Moab
and Judah (Ruth 4), and in whose veins flowed, there-
fore, the blood of the Gentile races, was a branch of the
" root" which, according to the flesh, was also the off-
spring of the branch. As the root of David, he was
the source of his family and kingdom ; and as his off-
spring, he descended from him, and was the rightful
heir to the government by legal habit, and " King
of the Jews." It was his right, therefore, to reign.
He claims their obedience, and will bless them that do
his commandments. Behold, he will come and claim
his kingdom and his honor. He will destroy his ene-
mies, and establish his church in a state of peace and
eternal joy.

The Spirit of God and the voice of the church are
the means usually most prominent in the call and con-
version of the unregenerate. A general commission is
here given to any one who has himself heard the truth
to proclaim it to others, and it is made the individual

1 Num. 24 : 17 ; Isa. 11 : 10 ; Eom. 15 : 12 ; 2 Pet. 1:19; ch. 1 : 1 ;
2 : 28 ; 5:5.

'^ To testify to you, to the churches.

2 Isa. 55 : 1 ; John 7 : 87 : ch. 21 : 2, 6, 9.

b Let him that willeth take of the waters of life freely.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 497

duty of every member of the churcli to do all he can,
by voice and example, and by every means God has
appointed, and no other, to disseminate the truth, and
preach salvation through Jesus Christ ; and in addition
to this, the Bible, which is the word of God, itself pro-
claims the truth where there is no other teacher, and its
voice alone is sufficient to justify any one who believes
in Christ to hope for salvation, and take freely to him-
self the joys and consolations of the Gospel, and also
to offer them to others.

But a call to officiate in the ministry, and a call to
perform Christian and relative duties, are confessedly
based on different grounds. These require different
talents, different evidence, and should always be care-
fully and judiciously discriminated. Duties to God,
towards our fellow-Christians, and the unregenerate
world, not only arise from the varied relations which
we sustain to each, but arise also and are sustained
upon different principles (ch. 1 : 20). Every means
which God has not instituted for the conversion of the
world will be an utter failure, and cover its inventors
with confusion. Ever}^ call which Jehovah does not
approve is unscriptural, and will terminate in deception
or corruption. Every plant which the Father hath
not planted will be rooted up. It may indeed appear
beautiful to men ; it may seem to flourish, assume
power, and decree its own existence and the measure
of its homage (see ch. 9 and 13) ; but it will be taken
and cast into the lake of fire (ch. 20 : 15).

The multiplicity of modern societies which reject
the churches from their action, and those which pre-
sumptuously usurp her duties and rights, will be found
inadequate to the tasks they have undertaken ; and
Christ, who reigns through the church, " which is the
pillar and ground of the truth," must overthrow them,
because they exalt themselves over the institutions he
has framed, and the convulsions occasioned by their
fall will be disastrous. The army of heaven (ch. 19 :

498 OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

14), if they will conquer, must follow him upon white
horses, clothed in linen white and clean, unstained by
pride and human device. Nor must they organize in
an independent corps, under leaders whom he has
not named. But whatever be the means used, whether
of envy or good will (Phil. 1 : 15), whosoever heareth,
let him take of the waters of life freely.

Verse 18. — For I testify unto every man^ that' henreth the
words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these
things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this
book :

Verse 19. — And if any man shall take away from the^ words
of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of
the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things that
are written in this book.

Verse 20. — He which testifieth these things saith,^ Surely, I
come quickly : Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Verse 21. — The grace of our Lord Jesus^ Christ* be with you
all. Amen.

Add tOj &c. To add to the prophecy, is to add to
its language, its commands, or its rites ; to take from it,
is to expunge its language, or to abolish or supersede
its requirements, or positive ceremonies.

He ivhich testifieth. Jesus, who by his angel hath
given a faithful revelation of the truth, will come sud-
denly and unexpectedly to friends and foes, to bless
and to curse, to save or destroy, as the judgment of
every man's work shall require.

^ven so. The words translated "surely and "even
so" are the same, in Gr. val^ and the response seems to

* Unto all, unto every one.

1 Deut. 4 : 2 ; 12 : 32 ; Pr. 30 : 6 ; Mai. 4 : 4.

2 Exod. 32: 83; Deut. 4: 2; 12: 32; Ps. 69 : 28 ; Pr. 30: 6; cli. 3: 5;
13: 8; 17: 8;. 20: 12; 21: 27.

3 Cant. 8 :14 ; Isa. 25 : 9 ; John 21 : 25 ; 2 Tim. 4:8; Heb. 9 : 28 ; 2
Pet. 3 : 12.

4 Eom. 1:7; 16 : 20 , 2 Cor. 13 : U ; Eph. 6 : 23 ; 2 Thes. 3 : 18 ; oh.
1 : 4.

b The Lord Jesus.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 499

have been added by John to the announcement, " I
come quickly."

The grace^ &c. This benediction is directed to the
seven churches, to whom the revelation is dedicated.
The Lord had sent threatenings, consolations, and pro-
mises to the churches, and the " inhabiters of the earth,"
because judgment belonged to him; but John desires
grace to be with all. It is not the part or spirit of a
true Christian to deal in anathemas and cursings, or to
desire the injury of any, not even his enemies (John
9 : 54 ; Heb. 12 : 29). How reverse was the desire of
Balaam, who wished to curse those whom God had not
cursed (Num. 23 ; Rev. 2 : 14) ! The grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Remarks. — It may be proper at this place to give
a theoretical outline of the book of Revelation, as it
has been explained in the foregoing pages.

First. The plan opens with a preface to the book
of Revelation, and a description of Jesus,^and intro-
ductory letters to the seven churches of Asia, to whom
the Revelation is addressed, giving them some direc-
tions relative to their local affairs, which are founded
upon general principles, and are, therefore, useful
to any whose circumstances involve the same prin-
ciples.

Secondly. The opening of the seven seals is de-
scriptive of seven great political revolutions, which
occurred during the space of fifteen centuries, prior to
the fall of the Jewish polity and the destruction of
Jerusalem, and which were intimately connected with
the Hebrew institutions, either for good or evil.

Thirdly. The sounding of the seven trumpets
symbolize religious changes and revolutions of impor-
tant and Avell-defined characteristics, so different from
the opening seals as to be clearly and distinctly
known by themselves. The events of three of them
transpired before the fall of Jerusalem, the fourth
near "that time ; of the others, one is past, one nearly
finished, and the other, the seventh, is yet future.

500 OUTLINES OF PKOPHETIC EEVELATION.

Of the beasts in chapter 13th, the first, from the
sea, describing the papacy, has nearly fulfilled its des-
tiny, and its career closes with the opening of the blast
of the seventh trumpet, about the years A. D. 1860-70,
when the beast from the earth arises in the image of
the papacy, upon which is to be poured —

Fourthly. The vials of the seven last plagues,
attended with civil, religious, and national troubles,
with pestilence, which will eventuate in his ruin about
A. D. 2130, when--

Fifthly. The church of God, which first appeared
at the opening of the first seal, and was reorganized
under the sealing of the angel of the seventh chap-
ter, will enjoy universal peace, after the overthrow of
the beasts, and be the prevailing religion of the world,
under the happy auspices of well regulated govern-
ments [probably republican], for a period of one thou-
sand years.

Sixthly. — At the close of the thousand years,
the existing governments will be assailed and resisted
for a short time, a " little space," perhaps one hun-
dred and fifty years, after which —

Seventhly. The general judgment will succeed,
in the literal resurrection of the dead, or a new and
permanent order of things will be established, based
upon the true principles of the Gospel, or upon the
restoration of primeval innocence, which will be
under the supervision and favor of Jehovah ; and
the vision closes with the benediction of the Reve-
lator.

Closing Reflections. — God, who rules over all,
has given us, in the Revelation, an outline of the
world's history, declaring the end from the begin-
ning. Heaven is not revealed to us — (St. John 3 :
12) — but Jehovah's kingdom on earth, its rise, pro-
gress, and eventual triumph is foretold. The oppo-
sition, progress, and overthrow of his enemies is also
predicted.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION. 501

It has been with great interest we have reviewed
the past; it was with amazement we beheld, in the
light of unerring truth, " the things which are," and
it is with great pleasure, concern, and trembling, we
contemplate the future. In the whole, we sec the
purity, justice, and truth of God. Self-will, hatred
to God, disobedience and death, are put in fearful
contrast with faith, love, obedience, immortality, and
eternal life.

The Revelation contains the sum of God's provi-
dences, a reiteration of the glorious doctrines of the
Holy Scriptures, and illustrates the truth, by an appeal
to history, that the Most High, who is eternal in power
and infinite in understanding, and plenteous in mercy,
redemption and truth, worketh all things according to
the counsel of his own will. Justice and judgment
are with him, and when he shall appear, he will give
to every man according to his works.

502

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

LIST OF WORDS AND SYMBOLS DEFINED IN THESE
OUTLINES.

A.

Abaddon, 9: 11.
Abyss, 9:1,
Air, 9: 2.
Altar, 8 : 4.
Amen, 5 : 14.
Angel, 1:1.
Apollyon, 9 : 11.
Apostacy, 9:1.
Armageddon, 16 : 15.
Army of horsemen, 9 : 16.
Ark of Testament, 11 : 19.

B.

Babylon, 14 : 8.

Balances or yoke, 6 : 5.

Bear, 13 : 2.

Beasts of the earth, 6: 8.

Beast out of the earth, 13 : 11.

Beast, 11 : 7, and 5: 9.

Beryl, 21 : 18.

Bitterness, 10 : 8.

Black horse, 6 : 5.

Blasphemy, 13: 6, 8.

Blood, 8: 7.

Book, 5:1.

Book of life, 3: 6.

Bottomless pit, 9:1.

Bow, 6 : 2.

Breastplate, 9:9.

Bridle, 14 : 20.

Brimstone, 9 : 17.

Calf, 4:7.

Calm, 7 : 1, and 8 : 8.
Cast down, 12: 2.
Candlestick, 1 : 20.
Cast out, 12: 9.
Censer, 8 : 8.

Chain, 20: 1.

City, 11:1.

Clothe, 3 : 6.

Cloud, 10: 1.

Come down, 18 : 1, and 10 :

Crown, 4 : 4.

Cry, 10 : 3.

Crystal, 4 : 6. and 22 : 1.

Cup, 16: 19.

D.

Day, 2 : 10, and 9 : 15.
Darkness, 16: 11.
Death, 2 : 23.
Descend, 10: 1.
Dens, 6 : 12.

Devil, 18: 2, and 20 : 10.
Door, 4 : 2.
Dragon, 12 : 4.
Dried up. 16: 12.
Drink, 14 : 8.

E.

Eagle, 4 : 7.

Earth, 5: 10, and 12 : 17.

Earthquake, 6 : 12, and 16 : 18.

East, 10 : 8.

Egypt, 11 : 8.

Elders, 5 : 8, and 7 : 11.

Euphrates, 9 : 14.

Eyes, 4 : 6.

Face, 4 : 7.
Faith, 14: 12.
Fall, 8 : 10.
Feet, 10: 1, and 14
Fire, 4 : 5.
First-fruits, 14 : 6.

OUTLINES OF PROPHETIC REVELATION.

503

Five months, 9 : 5.
Forehead, 7 : 13 :
Fornication, 2 : 14, and U
Foundations, 21 : 12.
Fountain, 7 : 14.
Four corners, 7 : 3
Frogs. 16 : 13.
Furlong, 14 : 20.

G.

15.

Garments, 16
Gate. 21: 13.
Girdle. 15 : 5.
Gospel, 14: 6.
Grapes, 14 : 18.
Grass, 8 : 7, and 9 :

H.

Hades, 6 : 8.

Hail, 8 : 7.

Hair. 9 : 8.

Harp, 5 : 8.

Head, 10: 1.

Heat, 7 : 13.

Heaven, 4 : 2. and 8 : 13.

Hebrew, 16 : 16.

Hiacinth, 9 : 17.

Horn, 5 : 6.

Horse. 6 : 2, 4.

Hour, 8:1.

Hunger, 6 : 8. and 13 : 17.

Image, 15 : 2.
Incense, 8 : 5,
In the spirit. 1
Iron. 2 : 27. '
Islands, 6 : 12.

10.

J.

Jacinth, 9 : 17.
Jasper, 4:3.
Judging the dead, 11

18.

K.

Key of David, 3: 7, and 9- 1

Kill, 9:5.

King, 9: 11, and 13: 15.

L.

Lake of fire. 20: 10.
Lamb, 5: 6, and 13: 11.
Lamp or light. 1 : 12.
Leopard, 13 : 2.
Lightning, 4 : 5. and 8 : 5.
Lion, 4: 7.
Living souls, 16 : 3.
Locust, 9 : 3.

M.

Manna, 2 : 17.
IVIark, 14 : 16.
Measure, 11 : 1.
Measure of capacity, 6: 6
Michael, 12: 7.
Moon, 6: 12, and 12: 1.
Morning star, 2 : 28.
Mountain, 8 : 9.
Mouth. 9: 17.

N.

Nakedness, 16 : 15.

Names of the 7 churches 3 • 22

Number, 13 : 8.

0.

Oil and wine, 5 : 6,

Olive, 11:4.

Open, 10:2, and 15: 5.

Palms, 7 : 9.

Patience. 1 : 9, and 14 : 12.

Pearl, 21: 21.

Pillars, 10 : 1.

Plurality in unitv, 1 : 7, and

Prophet, 16 : 13 '

504

OUTLINES OF PEOPHETIC REVELATION.

Quickly, 3 : 13.

Rainbow, 4 : 6
Reed, 21 : 12.
Right hand. 5
River, 8 : 10.
Rocks. 6 : 12.

S.

Sabeanism, 8:6.

Sackcloth, 11 : 3.

Sand, 13 : 1.

Sardonyx, 21 : 18.

Satan, 18: 2, and 20: 11.

Scarlet, 17 : 8.

Scorpions, 9 : 3.

Sea, 8 : 9.

Seal, 6 : 2, and 7 : 2.

Seat, 2 : 13.

Serpent, 12: 13.

Ships, 8 : 9.

Shortly, 1:1.

Sickle, 14 : 15.

Sign, 15 : 1.

Silence, 8:1.

Sion, 14: 1.

Sit, 17 : 3.

Six hundred sixty-six, 13 : 18.

Slay, 9 : 15.

Smoke, 8 : 5.

Sodom, 11 : 8.

Son of man, 14 : 14.

Sore. 16 : 2.

Speak, 13: 11.

Spirit of life, 11 : 11.

Stand. 11 : 4.

Star, 1 : 19, and 8 : 11.

Stormy (wind), 7:1.

Strong (angel), 5 : 2.

Sun, 6: 12, and 10 : 1.

Sun light, 7 : 13.

Swear an oath. 10 : 16.

Sweet, 10 : 8. '

Sword, 2 : 12.

Tabernacle, 13 : 6.

Tail, 9 : 10.

Teeth, 9 : 8.

Temple, 11 : 1, and 11 : 19.

Thanatos, 6 : 8.

Thirst, 7:13.

Throne, 4 : 2.

Thunder, 6 : 2.

Time, times, 12 : 14.

To set the foot upon, 10 : 2.

Tree, 7:1.

Trodden, 14 : 20.

Trumpet, 4 : 2.

Vial, 5: 8, and 14: 1.
Vine, 14: 18.
Voice, 6 : 10.

W.

Wall, 21 : 12.
Waters, 8: 11.
White stone, 2 : 17.
White horse, 6 : 2.
White raiment, 3 : 5.
Whore, 17 : 2.
Wilderness. 12 : 6.
Winds, 7.: i.
Wine, 14:8.
Winepress. 14 : 19.
Wings, 4 : 8.
Woman, 12 : 1.
Wormwood, 8: 11.
Worthy, 5 : 2.
Wounded, 13:3.

Year, 9 : 15.

Y.

Z.

Zion, 14: 1.

Zoon et Th rion, 14 :